The province of Konitsa, which covers the area extending from Gramos to Tymfi and bordering Western Macedonia to the east and Albania to the west, presents its own particular cultural characteristics in terms of collective expression and creation such as music and dance. The music and dance ‘tradition’ of Konitsa includes all the rich variety of folk songs: dirges, songs for refugees, wedding songs, love songs, and special dances such as Karapataki, Berati, Tsamikos, Syrtos, Sygathistos and Gaida. The influences from the neighbouring regions make it unique and quite different from the music and dance traditions of the rest of Epirus. The instruments that are commonly used and dominate the musical performance of the songs are the clarinet, the lute, the violin and the tambourine. The recent years, the presence of the accordion has extended.

Some of the most famous and particular dances of the province of Konitsa are the following:

Anaselitsa – dance “in two or layered”. The name “Anaselitsa” indicates that the dance is in one or
two steps. probably its origin from the village of Anaselitsa (today’s Neapolis of Kozani) or from the
province of Voio Kozani in general which formerly had the name Anaselitsa. There are many type
dances in the area such as “Gia mi me dernis mana” and “Echthes me to feggari” etc.

Karapataki – This is a dance which in the region of Epirus is usually danced as Zagorisios. In the
region of Konitsa and Western Macedonia, it appears with peculiar steps.
Tsamiko (Songs such as “Varethika tin ksenitia, Fekse feggaraki mou, Perdika”, etc.) – The well-known
rhythm of tsamiko in a local peculiar dance form.

Berati of Konitsa – Special organic purpose bearing the name of the village of Berati in Albania. The
tune also appears in other regions of Epirus with different melody and dance. The region of Konitsa
carries its own special melody and peculiar steps.

Papa George – The song of Papajiorgis, in many different variations both in Epirus and in other
regions of Rumeli, Thessaly and Macedonia, is perhaps a unique example of a legend about a
clergyman who threw himself into the revolutionary struggle. Other dances in the same pattern can
be found in the same way, such as the quite well-known in the area ‘Krasi m’ se pino gia kalo’, which
is danced in the same way.

Padiotiko – A special dance with steps based on the dance pattern of Syrtos in three.

Thilikoto – Dance with a special hand grip. One of the most famous songs is “Ime mikro ke mavro”.