Premiere of Documentary Film “Tango-Hasapiko: The Dance of the Ports” in Argentina

The documentary film “Tango-Hasapiko: The Dance of the Ports”, directed by Constantina Bousmpoura, along with Julia M. Cheimann, will be screened on August 13, in the National Library of Argentina in Buenos Aires.

The documentary film, lasting 35 minutes and based upon the choreographic work of 77-year-old Greek-Argentinian George Dermitzakis, will also be screened at the International Tango Festival and World Cup in Buenos Aires.

“We’re pleased that the ‘Tango-Hasapiko’ begins its journey from Argentina, the country that once welcomed thousands of Greeks. I hope this trip will bring the ‘Tango-Hasapiko’ to Greece,” stated the President of the Organization of Greek Culture Nostos (Asociacion Cultural Helenica Nostos) Christina Tsardikos, doctor by profession, who supported the production of the documentary film.

“The documentary film is the testimony of history and nostalgia of a Greek immigrant, the relationship of dance teacher Dermitzakis with members of the dance group, and the entire collective effort that made the creation and dissemination of the project possible. The port is the entrance and exit of ideas,” adds Mrs. Tsardikos.

George Dermitzakis, son of Greek immigrants in Argentina, after many years of teaching and interpreting Greek dances on stage, first presented in 2010 his work “Tango-Hasapiko” at the Globo Theatre of Buenos Aires. It is a project that reflects the mix of these two musical genres that emerged from the dives, while expressing the double identity of the Greek-Argentinian choreographer. The port, as a symbol of exile and refugee – Athens and Buenos Aires – is the  crossroads and the place where Argentine tango and Greek hasapiko coexist.

Greek Lessons for Hispanics

Since its founding in 2007, “Nostos” under the auspices of the Ministry of Education in Greece, has developed a rich body of work, having organized, among others, three literary contests, with the support of the Greek Embassy in Argentina.

Mrs.Tsardikos and her volunteer partners attach particular importance to the dissemination of the Greek language, which is why Greek lessons constitute an important part of the activities of the organization.

This year, Greek language online courses for Hispanics will start on August 23 and they will be available to the public for free, as happens in “Nostos”. So far, 500 people have signed up across Latin America, according to Mrs Tsardikos.

The public is also attracted by the regular lectures organized by “Nostos” at the National Library of Buenos Aires, with various cultural topics and traditional Greek dance courses.