Clean Monday At The SNFCC

The SNFCC welcomes Clean Monday with a vibrant celebration of Greek music and dance! On Monday, March 3, we embrace the arrival of Lent and spring with a spectacular traditional festival.

From 12:00 to 15:00, ethnomusicologist Lambros Liavas curates and presents a rich mosaic of Greek musical and dance traditions on the Great Lawn, inviting everyone to take part in this cherished cultural gathering.

With extensive expertise in Greek folk music—gained through academic research and firsthand experiences across the country—Lambros Liavas guides us through the time-honored farewell to the Carnival season. Expect an exciting fusion of carnival mimic dances with kalamatiano, kangelia, tsamiko, Macedonian syrto, Thracian zonaradiko, Constantinopolitan hasapiko, Smyrnaic karsilama, Cretan pentozali, and island balos dances.

Leading the musical ensemble is the dynamic duo of Alexandros Arkadopoulos (clarinet, flute) and Giannis Pavlopoulos (violin, vocals), accompanied by accordion virtuoso Thanos Stavridis and trumpeter Tasos Valkanis, who adds a lively Macedonian brass flair. Also contributing to the rhythm and melody are Iordanis Kouzinopoulos on laouto and vocals, and Manousos Klapakis on percussion.

Joining them are six remarkable young vocalists—graduates of the NKUA Postgraduate Program in Ethnomusicology and Musical Practice: Sevastiani Vletsi, Emmeleia Damanaki, Marianthi-Ippolyti Katsari, Chrysi Tzavla, Dimitra Tsagkaraki, and Varvara Tsiviki. The event also features Pontic lyra player Ilias Avramidis and Cretan lyra player Manolis Bountalakis, adding their own regional flair to the celebration.

Bringing the festivities to life, the dance troupes of the Folk Society “Xoropaideia” (led by Vasilis Karfis and Maria Ziaka) and the Pontic Association “Argonafte Komninoi” (under the direction of Kostas Savvinidis) invite everyone to join hands and dance together in a joyful celebration of tradition!