2026 FDF Minoan Dancers 2, Advanced Intermediate, final

2026 FDF in Phoenix, Arizona Co-directed by Daphne Cummings and Stephanie Gikkas Dances of Crete: Laziotis, Syrtos, Siteiakos Pidichtos, Rodo, Maleviziotis Musicians: Manolis Bobolakis (violin), Vaggelis Bagourakis (laouto) Award: Choral Award, Advanced Intermediate category In Crete, the custom of “Klidonas” is celebrated on June 24th, the feast day of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (Ai-Gianni). The word “klidonas” is derived from the ancient Greek word κλήδων, meaning “the predictor sound,” referring to the combination of random and incoherent words recited during an ancient divination ceremony. It is believed that during the custom of klidonas, unmarried girls will see who their future husbands will be. In Crete, on the eve of Ai-Gianni (June 23), unmarried girls gather in one of the village homes. A girl named Maria, who is the first born in her family with both her parents living, is sent to bring the "silent water" (αμίλητο νερό) from the village well or fountain. The silent water is poured into a clay pot (στάμνα) and each girl puts an object into it, a green or red apple or other fruit by single girls, a piece of jewelry, a key, etc. by married women. These objects are called “rizikaria” (ριζικάρια) which is derived from the word “riziko” (ριζικό) which means destiny. Maria covers the stamna with a red cloth (red is a symbol of strength and wealth) and ties the cloth with a cord ("locked") and places a large key on top. The stamna is placed overnight in the starlight. The single women who put their rizikaria in the stamna will dream of their future spouses that night. Our scene opens on the next day when the single girls and other villagers gather and Maria opens the stamna. She crosses the top of the stamna with the key, removes the red cloth and pulls out the rizikaria one by one. Each rizikari is accompanied by one or more mantinades. Each girl tries to interpret the mantinada that is recited for her rizikari, hoping that Saint John is sending a message through the pitcher with the silent water. After the klidonas is opened there is a big feast and panegyri.