In a summer trip full of colors, sounds and tradition, the Kytheraic Association of Athens represented Greece in the European celebration «Giostra Cavalleresca», which was held in Sulmona, Italy, on the 3rd and 4th of August 2024. The dance section of the Association, under the guidance of the choreographer Sakis Katsoulis, presented unique dance compositions, embodying the cultural heritage of Kythera. The event, which revived equestrian tournaments of the Medieval Era, gathered hundreds of participants and spectators, giving the stamp of history and tradition to the festive events. Read the press release below.
KYTHIRA ASSOCIATION OF ATHENS
PRESS RELEASE
Ο Kythiraikos Association of Athens, as the official guest of «Giostra Cavalleresca», participated in the events of the European Giostra that took place on 3 & 4 August 2024 in the city of Sulmona of Italy.
The dance section of the Association, which participated for the third time in the events, travelled to Italy with 18 dancers and was accompanied by the chorus master Sakis Katsoulis and Board Member Damianos Kasimatis.
The celebration is revived as a modern equestrian tournament in the centre of Piazza Maggiore, dedicated to the beautiful villages of the area, with a unique show of costumes, banners and sounds and starring around four hundred participants. On 27 July 1995, the first modern version of the «Giostra Cavalleresca» horse race took place. The four Sestieri and the three Borghi, into which the Sulmona area is divided, face each other in a unique battle (equestrian races) and the prize of the races (Palio) is designed each year by a different artist, inspired by the history, symbols, monuments and characters of the town of Sulmona.
Delegations from eight European countries took part in this year's celebration: Italy, Great Britain (Scotland), Germany, France, Germany, Malta, Spain, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Greece, which was represented by teams from the islands of Kythera, Zakynthos and Lefkada.
The Kythera delegation enjoyed the warm hospitality of the inhabitants of the village «Borgo Santa Maria della Tomba», located south of the town of Sultana and named after the homonymous church of 14th century.no century .
On Saturday 4 August, the traditional reception ceremony for the invited delegations was held in the Council Chamber of Palazzo San Francesco, in the presence of the Mayor and local authorities, where gifts were exchanged between the delegations. In the afternoon of the same day, a large number of spectators watched the historic march along Corso Ovidio and the equestrian races in Piazza Maggiore, two moments which gave Sulmona a piece of their history, traditions and local representations.
On Sunday 4 August all the delegations said goodbye, until next year, in a party with lots of music and dancing and with the commitment of the «Giostra Cavalleresca» Association to do its best to continue the event.
The President of K.S.A., Vaso Samiou said «we are excited by our participation in a successful celebration, where Kythera has the opportunity to showcase its culture and expand its relations with other countries».
We thank the friends of «Giostra Cavalleresca» for the invitation and hospitality and we thank the children of our dance group who, together with their teacher Sakis Katsoulis, once again represented the Kytheraiko Association of Athens.
CYPRIOT ASSOCIATION OF ATHENS
More information :
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