The traditional dance of the northern-eastern Aegean Island of Ikaria, known as “Kariotikos” should be preserved and recognized as a property of the world and an integral part of Greek Culture, claim authorities and academics from the island, urging the Greek Culture ministry to apply to UNESCO for the inclusion of the dance on its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage aim to ensure the protection of important oral and intangible cultural traditions worldwide, raising awareness of their significance.
According to GTP, in their letter sent to Deputy Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis, Ikariots have cited the example of Andalusia’s flamenco dance, which is already included in the list.
Christos Kalloniatis (Professor of the Department of Cultural Technology and Communication at the University of the Aegean), Iris Kritikou (Archaeologist-Historian of Art), Konstantinos Maniatopoulos (Director of the Stratis Eleftheriadis-Tériade Museum – Library, Visual Artist-Historian of Art), Irine Vasilopoulou