
May 1988. Three pioneer dancers, Manolis Pattakos, Michalis Sifakakis, and Vassilis Toupis, founded the "KOURITES" Folklore Society.
35 years later, the purpose of the "KOURITES" Folklore Society remains the same: to contribute to the preservation, rescue, and dissemination of Cretan dances, songs, and plays, but also the revival of Cretan morals and customs.
The "KOURITES" Folklore Society has performed over two thousand performances in Greece and on five continents.
"KOURITES" succeeded thanks to our demanding and passionate leader, our President and dance teacher, Pattakomanolis, who carries the honorary title of “chief."
We were warmly embraced with appreciation and respect by the most important traditional entities of our country, as well as by significant cultural societies abroad.
But what happened through the years? Follow us, step by step, along this multi-year journey.
The History of "KOURITES" Folklore Society

In 1988, they appeared in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus at an event of the Pancretan Association for the Battle of Crete. They were the first Cretan...
In 1988, they appeared in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus at an event of the Pancretan Association for the Battle of Crete. They were the first Cretan...

After study and research, the president of the Society, Manolis Pattakos, in a special event at the Cretan Estia on December 16, 1990, presented the...
After study and research, the president of the Society, Manolis Pattakos, in a special event at the Cretan Estia on December 16, 1990, presented the...

In December of the same year, the KOURITES traveled to America, invited by the Cretan association of New Orleans, the Cretan association of New York and...
In December of the same year, the KOURITES traveled to America, invited by the Cretan association of New Orleans, the Cretan association of New York and...

During the same year, they participated in a historic event organized by the Association of All Sfakians and the Constantinopolitan Association with the...
During the same year, they participated in a historic event organized by the Association of All Sfakians and the Constantinopolitan Association with the...

The following year, they honored the pioneer dancers of 1960-1970, Manolis Katsougris, Giorgis Kiagias, Giorgis Kokkinos, Giorgis Kyriakakis, Drakos...
The following year, they honored the pioneer dancers of 1960-1970, Manolis Katsougris, Giorgis Kiagias, Giorgis Kokkinos, Giorgis Kyriakakis, Drakos...

During the same month, they traveled to Naxos to the village of Apeiranthos. There, they donated the icon of the Two Sfakian Saints and participated in a...
During the same month, they traveled to Naxos to the village of Apeiranthos. There, they donated the icon of the Two Sfakian Saints and participated in a...

In December 2003, they traveled to Montreal, Canada, on behalf of the Prefecture of Heraklion to participate in the celebrations of the ninety years since...
In December 2003, they traveled to Montreal, Canada, on behalf of the Prefecture of Heraklion to participate in the celebrations of the ninety years since...

During the same month in Moscow, they visited the largest Orthodox Church in the whole world, the Church of Christ the Saviour. There, they met with...
During the same month in Moscow, they visited the largest Orthodox Church in the whole world, the Church of Christ the Saviour. There, they met with...

In September 2007, they traveled to distant China after being invited to participate in the 10th Beijing International Festival, among 47 music and...
In September 2007, they traveled to distant China after being invited to participate in the 10th Beijing International Festival, among 47 music and...

In 2009, in collaboration with the craftsmen of the Cretan silver knife, Antonis Kostantoudakis and Stavros Paterakis, KOURITES changed the history...
In 2009, in collaboration with the craftsmen of the Cretan silver knife, Antonis Kostantoudakis and Stavros Paterakis, KOURITES changed the history...

In April 2010, they were invited to participate in the celebrations of March 25, organized by the expatriates of Detroit. It was the first time that...
In April 2010, they were invited to participate in the celebrations of March 25, organized by the expatriates of Detroit. It was the first time that...

On July 2 & 3, they appeared at the cultural events of the Municipality of Myrina, Limnos. They were accompanied by Michalis Kallergis' music band....
On July 2 & 3, they appeared at the cultural events of the Municipality of Myrina, Limnos. They were accompanied by Michalis Kallergis' music band....

In August 2012, an honorary event was organized for General H.E. Fraggos Fragoulis in Chromonastiri, Rethymno. It should be noted that the President of...
In August 2012, an honorary event was organized for General H.E. Fraggos Fragoulis in Chromonastiri, Rethymno. It should be noted that the President of...

In December 2012, the Pancretan Brotherhood of Macedonia, in collaboration with the Cultural Society of Chromonastiri, "MYLOS TOU PRINARIS," and the ...
In December 2012, the Pancretan Brotherhood of Macedonia, in collaboration with the Cultural Society of Chromonastiri, "MYLOS TOU PRINARIS," and the ...

In November 2013, they participated in the unveiling of the Cretan Fighters of the Macedonian Struggle monument by the Union of Saronic Cretans "THE...
In November 2013, they participated in the unveiling of the Cretan Fighters of the Macedonian Struggle monument by the Union of Saronic Cretans "THE...

On January 25, 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society participated in the annual event of the Cretan Association of Karditsa. The first women's cape...
On January 25, 2014, the "KOURITES" Folklore Society participated in the annual event of the Cretan Association of Karditsa. The first women's cape...

On October 30 and 31, 2015, they participated in the two-day tribute to Crete entitled "The Precious Roots of the Greeks of Crete," organized by the...
On October 30 and 31, 2015, they participated in the two-day tribute to Crete entitled "The Precious Roots of the Greeks of Crete," organized by the...

On November 8, 2016, they received an honorary invitation from His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Rethymno, and Avlopotamos, Mr. Eugenios, to attend...
On November 8, 2016, they received an honorary invitation from His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Rethymno, and Avlopotamos, Mr. Eugenios, to attend...

In May 2018, after thirty years of contribution to the cultural events of our country, KOURITES made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. They were welcomed in the...
In May 2018, after thirty years of contribution to the cultural events of our country, KOURITES made a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. They were welcomed in the...

On May 17, 2018, following the invitation of the President of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, KOURITES attended...
On May 17, 2018, following the invitation of the President of the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, KOURITES attended...

In 2018, for the third year, the memory of Saint God-Crowned King Nikiforos Fokas was celebrated on December 11 in the presence of His Eminence, the...
In 2018, for the third year, the memory of Saint God-Crowned King Nikiforos Fokas was celebrated on December 11 in the presence of His Eminence, the...

During the same year, for the umpteenth time, they attended the established event of Dimitris Aetoudakis, where the new children's team of Kourites...
During the same year, for the umpteenth time, they attended the established event of Dimitris Aetoudakis, where the new children's team of Kourites...

In November of the same year, they participated in the music and dance performance "My Crete" at the Christmas Theater with the participation of 20...
In November of the same year, they participated in the music and dance performance "My Crete" at the Christmas Theater with the participation of 20...