Καλλιτεχνικός Σύλλογος Δημοτικής Μουσικής Δόμνα Σαμίου

Today, the kotsari, is one of the best-known and best-loved Pontian dances. It was danced in the Eastern Pontus, and mainly in the Kars area, which was home mainly to Armenians, but to Turks and Greeks, too (who settled there after 1829).

The dance is for men and women, like all the dances from Kars. Its rhythm has two movements and is played as an instrumental melody without an accompanying song. It is said the dance’s name comes from certain limping (koutsa) steps the dancers make, or to its double heel (kots) strikes. In fact, these are just folk etymologies, and the origins of the name must be sought in the Armenian tongue.

Theodor Kondaras (2022)

Live recording from the concert Songs of Asia Minor with Domna Samiou at the Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, on 8/3/2005.