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Chania has offered to the
Cretan traditional music many important representatives, people with
talent, respect, love and great interest for the conservation and spread
of this tradition. Chania is the place where the rizitika songs first
appeared, tavlas songs that were sang all over Crete mainly though in
the villages located in the foot of Lefka Ori. In Crete every district
and every province has its own character regarding traditional music.
Thus the long-lasting history of traditional music in Chania and the
particular character of this music in this region were based on the
violin that was used back in the old times as the protagonist of the
Cretan orchestra. This musical instrument was kind of rare in other
regions (perhaps with the exception of Lasithi, a region that has lots
of worth noticing violin performers). It is notable that in Chania,
violin had a leading role and it was considered as the authentic Cretan
musical instrument, placing lyre in a lesser position. Many violin
virtuosos left a legacy to the next generations, influencing decisively
the younger artists with the sweet, magic sound and melodies they have
composed.
Furthermore it has been historically proved that one of the most popular
dances in Crete today is the "protos syrtos” or "protos chaniotikos"
tracing its roots to Chania.
LINA LAGOUDIANAKI
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