Women’s Ritual Circle Dances” with Laura Shannon

SEPTEMBER 4-7, 20025 or SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2025

Option A: 4-day Event, Thu-Sun, Sep. 4-7
Ideal for those who can only join for the weekend.

Option B: 7-day Event, Thu-Wed, Sep. 4-10
A deeper journey, perfect for those traveling from abroad, including either a visit to a local panegyri (festival) or an evening of live Cretan music.

The workshop is offered on a sliding scale of €195- 295 for Option A (including 3 group meals) and €420-640 for Option B (including 6 group meals).
Accommodation is available in the Orizon Center or nearby hotels, and breakfast is available at the Orizon Center for a small additional cost.
Spaces are limited, so we suggest you reserve your place soon. We look forward to dancing together in the footsteps of the priestesses of ancient Crete!

Information & Accommodation:
Aleksandra Sambure: amsambure@gmail.com, +306942531233/ +4915170358012
Registration & Payment: Claudia Welter, Claudia.Welter@gmx.de, +306973347501/ +491791415990

WHERE: Orizon Center Akrimios for Life & Creation, Aptera, near Chania, Crete, Greece

ANCIENT WORLD VIEW:

Traditional women’s ritual dances have roots in a time before patriarchy and war. A living legacy from peaceful civilisations of Old Europe (which also flourished in Bronze Age Crete), they embody the ancient worldview of sustainability, community, and peace, based on reverence for the earth and the Goddess, which we urgently seek to rekindle in our world today.

HIDDEN WISDOM:

The dance steps are simple enough for beginners to enjoy, yet sufficiently rich in insight and meaning to satisfy even the most experienced dancers. Coming from cultures which have survived many periods of transition, these women’s dances encode hidden wisdom which can help guide us through our own life changes with dignity, grace, and joy.

EXPERT TEACHING:
Laura Shannon is one of the ‘grandmothers’ of the worldwide Sacred/Circle Dance movement, with 40 years of experience researching and teaching traditional women’s circle dances worldwide. Her teaching is clear, compassionate, and joyful.

BEAUTIFUL LIVE MUSIC:

Kostantis Kourmadias will provide gentle, sensitive musical accompaniment on the saz, an ancient type of long-necked lute. Laura will join him with vocals and traditional percussion. Participants in Option B will have the chance to dance with live music from Cretan musicians as well.