The Pancretan Association of America & the 
Pancretan Youth of America
National Dance Workshop
March 14-16, 2025 (PYA)

The PAA Culture & Education program organized a three-day Cretan Dance Workshop in New York with the support of the Region of Crete. More than 60 PYA members from across the United States traveled to participate in this event.  The successful workshop provided participants with effective dance teaching techniques while providing them with the historical and cultural background of each Cretan dance.  This will enable them to return to their local districts and chapters and teach with greater depth and accuracy.

A heartfelt thank you to the local Cretan chapters of greater New York and New Jersey area for hosting this wonderful learning opportunity event.
The workshops took place at the Omonia Cretan Association. Saturday evening, a dance event took place at the Minos Cretan Association.
                    

Click on the link to view photos of the event:  PAA National Dance Workshop 2025  

Professional Dance Photographs from Dance Workshop

YouTube Videos of Dance Workshop


Read more details in the Culture & Education Press Release Section and click here:

PAA National Dance Workshop 2025

Cultural and Education Goals

• To promote and develop social ethnic and cultural relationships and mutuality among all Cretans and their descendants residing in the United States and Canada.

• To promote and develop education through scholarships and otherwise to raise voluntary contribution and funds and to distribute such funds to legally recognized philanthropic institutions and educational, charitable, or cultural purposes.

• To promote throughout the world, and especially in the United States of America, a better and more comprehensive understanding of Crete and its history and culture.

New Programming for 2026

PAA/PYA Summer Program Highlights in Crete

The Pancretan Association of America (PAA) and the Pancretan Youth of America (PYA) explored Crete these past two summers (2024 and 2025) with a variety of exciting programs and events.

• A Pancretan Endowment Fund reception at the beautiful Flora & Fauna Park
• Strata around the Old Limani in Chania (July and August)
• Dance Workshops with Viglatores and Pseloretes Dance Group
• Two day overnight excursions to villages and philanthropies around Crete
• Cooking Classes
• Cultural Programs with Kazantzakis Museum and other cultural organizations
• 100th Anniversary of Mikis Theodorakis events (2025)
• Coffee with friends at the KIPO in Chania
• The Merona Summer Music/Dance Program n the charming village of Merona.
• Commemorations of the Four Cretan Martyrs (throughout August): special events in Rethymnon and a presentation at Arkadi Monastery in 2024
  
• Annual World Council of Cretans Meeting in Reythmnon
• Collaborative projects at the Venizelion Museum in Chalepa, Crete
• PAA-sponsored Philanthropies visitations

View photos of the events in Crete in 2024: PAA/PYA 2024 Summer Activities in Crete

View Photos of the events in Crete in 2025:  PAA/PYA 2025 Summer Activities in Crete

To view the Arkadi Event on August 18, 2024 Click Here

Complete articles will be available and published in upcoming KPHTH magazine issues.