MANASIS School of Dance and Culture performs at the annual Serbian Vasar Festival. Celebrating cultural diversity is at the core of the MANASIS philosophy, and last weekend, they once again had the honour of participating in a massive dance and cultural festival “VASAR.”
The event was hosted by Orthodox brothers and sisters- the Folklorna Grupa Sumadija, at the St. Stephan the Archdeacon Serbian Orthodox Church, Keysborough.
Similarly to Greece, no two regions of Serbia are the same, and costumes, dances, rhythms, all vary across their cultural landscape. The event hosted many different Serbian dance groups from across Australia, each presenting dances from various regions of Serbia, along with guests of honour- The MANASIS Senior Dance Group.
Our history and culture, in particular in Northern Greece and the Balkans is very similar indeed!
As at past events, dancers met with, and spoke with fellow dance instructors, and saw the amazing work they have all done in choreographing and presenting traditional folk dance on the stage as an entertaining and inspiring medium through which to celebrate their identity. it was also a gathering of some of the finest dancers, choreographers and cultural specialists from across the state!
Through their performance, MANASIS formally represented the entire Greek community, highlighting parallel music, rhythms, dances, and costumes. Famous for their DODEKAIMERO and APOKRIES customs, MANASIS showcased Carnival Season Processions from the Anatoliki Romilia/Thrace region, with their “Kamiles kai Divitzides”!
The Apokries season culminates with the Masquerade Party on Friday 28th February at Vanilla, Oakleigh, where students from MANASIS will dress up with furs, masks and bells, for a twilight spectacle of epic proportions across Eaton Mall and the surrounding streets. They will then turn their focus to celebrating the Greek National Day throughout the month of March.
