Karaiskakeia

International Culture Day with special reference to Folk Culture, traditions, customs and traditions.

They were established in 1927 by a decision of the Ministry of Interior and are in honor of the great hero of the Greek Revolution, Georgios Karaiskakis, who came from Mavrommati, Karditsa. Since then, the organizing committees have been competing to upgrade the institution, giving it a national, historical, cultural, spiritual and social dimension. It contributes to fraternity between the peoples of the world, as well as to the knowledge and exchange of cultural elements between them.

The organization is undertaken by the secondary body of our prefecture, the Union of Cultural Associations of Karditsa, with the main co-organizers the Region of Thessaly - Regional Unit of Karditsa, the Municipality of Karditsa, the Regional Union of Municipalities (P.E.D.) of Thessaly, the Chamber of Karditsa and the Holy Metropolis of Thessaliotis and Fanariofersalon.

The events take place in the Central Square of Karditsa and in all the Municipalities of the Regional Unit. Every day more than 1,500 people attend the events (dances and songs from every region of Greece, but also from representative bands from abroad, revival of customs and other events).

Through these events our culture and the sights of Thessaly are promoted, since our guests are guided to Lake Plastira, Meteora, Pelion, etc.

In the framework of the Festival there are also parallel events, such as the Karaiskakeios Road organized by the Cultural Association of Mavrommatiou "O Karaiskakis", Shooting Games organized by the Shooting Club of Karditsa "Artemis", exhibitions of photography, painting and traditional costumes from the guest countries, seminars, music and dance workshops as well as theoretical lessons of music and dance among the guest delegations.

55th Karaiskakeia

19 TO 25 JUNE 2023

The great celebration of tradition and popular culture is preparing to raise the curtain again, with a programme worthy of the prestige of the institution, which is the longest of its kind.

This year's event is dedicated to the heroes of the Greek Revolution and in this context, a theatrical performance will take place at the opening, entitled "Breaths... of Heroes".

The invited countries are Ukraine ("Folk Dance Ensemble Barvograi"), Bulgaria ("Folk Dance Group Chudesiya"), Thailand ("Buriram Rajabhat University") and Serbia ("KUD mladih Novi Pazar").

From Greece will participate: the Association of Pafraia of Sintiki Serres "PAFRA", the Cultural Association of Panagia Karpenisi, the Association of Asia Minor of Larissa, the Dance Club of Trikala, the Cultural Association of Volaka of Drama, the Lyceum of Hellenes - Branch of Heraklion Crete, the Sports, Dance, Cultural Association "DIONYSOS" Stavroupolis of Thessaloniki and the Association of Sarakatsans of N. Larissa "Katsantonis".

Thirty-nine dance groups and more than 1,000 dancers will perform on the stage of the Karaiskakia, in front of the imposing statue of the hero Georgios Karaiskakis, sending the message that culture is the only thing that can unite.

The local dance groups will also give their own colour by presenting dances and songs from every corner of Greece.

For a week, the Prefecture of Karditsa is expected to be at the center of national, and not only, interest, through a top and multifaceted important institution.

Events Programme

Monday 19 June 2023
Central square of Karditsa - Time 21:00
  • Opening Ceremony - Greetings
  • Performance "Breaths... of Heroes"

In the excerpt of the performance "Breaths...Heroes" participate:
Direction - Texts: Vasiliki Makri
In the role of Karaiskakis: Pavlos Vissariou
In the role of the Narrator: Yannis Stamoulis
Participating Members of the Creative Workshop of the Theatre of Aspects
Song: "Karaiskakis" - Poetry: George Papakostas
Music : Marina Krania - Giorgos Karadimos First performance : Aris Faliagas Orchestration : Andreas Tsegas
Narration: Paul Vissariou
Direction - Artistic Supervision of the Opening - Closing Ceremony: Paul Vissariou
The Sets and Costumes of the Opening Ceremony are courtesy of the Opis Theatre.

  • Short performance of foreign dancers (Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Thailand)
  • Association of Pafraia of Sintiki Serres "PAFRA"
  • Association of Sarakatsans of Larissa "O Katsantonis"
  • Friendship Evening
Tuesday 20 June 2023
Central square of Karditsa - Time 21:00
  • Cultural Association of Panagia Karpenissi
  • Myrini Cultural Association
  • Thailand ("Buriram Rajabhat University")
  • Dancing, Folklore Club "Kallihoros"
  • Folklore and Sports Centre of Palamas "Dromena"
  • Association of Asia Minor of Larissa
  • Cultural and Folklore Association of Markos
In the other Municipalities

Franko: Bulgaria ("Folk Dance Group Chudesiya")

Xynoneri: Serbia ("KUD mladih Novi Pazar")

Grammar: Ukraine ("Folk Dance Ensemble Barvograi")

Wednesday 21 June 2023
Central square of Karditsa - Time 21:00
  • Day Care Centre for People with Disabilities JOIN US
  • Honorary tribute to Vassilis Daralas
  • Cultural, Folklore, Association of Drakotrypa "Anaplasi"
  • Bulgaria ("Folk Dance Group Chudesiya")
  • Cultural, Dancing, Folklore Club of Palamas "The Karagounides"
  • Vlohou Dance Club
  • Cultural Association of Agia Paraskevi
In the other Municipalities

Caliphoni: Thailand ("Buriram Rajabhat University")

Tower of Kyeri: Serbia ("KUD mladih Novi Pazar")

Paluri: Ukraine ("Folk Dance Ensemble Barvograi")

Thursday 22 June 2023
Central square of Karditsa - Time 21:00
  • Cultural Association of Sofades
  • Association of Argitheaters of Karditsa "Merimna"
  • Municipal Dance Company of Karditsa "Mary Ioannidou"
  • Serbia ("KUD mladih Novi Pazar")
  • Centre for Dance and Folklore "En Choro"
  • Dance Club of Trikala
  • Association of Argitheaters of Mouzaki
In the other Municipalities

Suburb: Thailand ("Buriram Rajabhat University"), Ukraine ("Folk Dance Ensemble Barvograi")

Orphans: Bulgaria ("Folk Dance Group Chudesiya")

Friday 23 June 2023
Central square of Karditsa - Time 21:00
  • Cultural, Cultural, Cultural Association of Abeliko, Cultural, Cultural Association of Gorgovites, Cultural, Cultural Association of Lamperiotes "The Lampero"
  • Centre for the Study and Promotion of Greek Culture "Horiambos"
  • Ukraine ("Folk Dance Ensemble Barvograi")
  • Folklore, Dance Group "Karaguna", Magoula Women's Association, Agnantero Cultural Association
  • Natural and Cultural Association of Proastio
In the other Municipalities

Cherry: Thailand ("Buriram Rajabhat University")

Sofades: Serbia ("KUD mladih Novi Pazar"), Hellenic Women's Lyceum - Heraklion Crete Branch

Turkey: Bulgaria ("Folk Dance Group Chudesiya")

Saturday 24 June 2023
Central square of Karditsa - Time 21:00
  • MYGYM Dance Group-Nadia Ragou (will present an Indian dance song)
  • Folklore, Dancing Club "The Thessalian Campos"
  • Cultural Association of Volakas Drama
  • Lyceum of Hellenic Women - Heraklion Branch of Crete
  • Folklore Society of Music and Dance Studies "Nikolaos Plastiras"
  • Sports, Dance, Cultural Association "DIONYSOS" Stavroupolis Thessaloniki
  • Cappadocian Women's Association
In the other Municipalities

Black eye: Ukraine ("Folk Dance Ensemble Barvograi"), Serbia ("KUD mladih Novi Pazar")

Mesenicolas: Thailand ("Buriram Rajabhat University")

Forest village: Bulgaria ("Folk Dance Group Chudesiya")

Sunday 25 June 2023
Central square of Karditsa - Time 21:00
  • Cultural Association of Agia Triada
  • Ukraine ("Folk Dance Ensemble Barvograi") - Short performance
  • Bulgaria ("Folk Dance Group Chudesiya") - Short performance
  • Cultural Association of Metropolis
  • Folklore, Music and Dance Association "Thessalian Dance"
  • Thailand ("Buriram Rajabhat University") - Quick look
  • Serbia ("KUD mladih Novi Pazar") - Short appearance
  • Greetings - Closing Ceremony
  • Friendship Evening
The contribution of dance to local development and the shaping of local identity
Wednesday 21 June - Time 11:00 a.m.
Place ``Pausilipo``

Professor S.E.F.A.A.A. Dimitrios Goulimaris will present:    

  • The Postgraduate Programme of Studies of the S.E.F.A.A. of the Democritus University of Thrace "Sports Tourism, Event Organization, Dance", with emphasis on the specialization "Studies in Dance".
  • Lecture on "The actors of the dance tradition and their connection with popular creation and local development. Folklore and dance performances".
  • It is addressed, mainly, to dance teachers
Handgun Practical Shooting Competitions lvl (level) 1
Thursday 22 June - Afternoon - Kallithirou Shooting Range

Organization: Sporting - Shooting Club of Karditsa "ARTEMIS"

Parallel Events

The news of the Karaiskakeion

Information about the Karaiskakeia - Participation forms for the dancing groups until 10 May

We inform you that the 56th International Cultural Festival Karaiskakeia, organized by the Union of Cultural Associations of Karditsa, has been scheduled for the period from 24 to 30 June 2024. Clubs interested in participating with their dance section are invited to register with the Secretariat of the Association until May 10 (either online at enpolisk@gmail.com or by phone [...]

The 55th International Karaiskakeia Culture Festival was completed

The 55th International Cultural Festival Karaiskakeia, organized by the Union of Cultural Associations of N. Karditsa, in co-organization with the Region of Thessaly - Regional Unit of Karditsa, the Regional Union of Municipalities of Thessaly, the Municipality of Karditsa, the Karditsa Chamber of Commerce and the [...]

Honorary tribute to Vassilis Daralas in the framework of the 55th Karaiskakia

With the honorary tribute to Vassilis Daralas, the 55th International Cultural Festival Karaiskakeia, organized by the Union of Cultural Associations of N. Karditsa, in co-organization with the Region of Thessaly - Regional Unit of Karditsa, the Regional Union of Municipalities of Thessaly, the Municipality of Karditsa, the Chamber of Karditsa and with the support of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaly and Fanariofersalon. Ο [...]