Introduction to Women’s Ritual Dances

Traditional Women’s Circle Dances from Greece, The Balkans and Armenia

with Laura Shannon

28th – 29th March 2026

The roots of these dances go back thousands of years to indigenous Goddess civilisations of Neolithic Old Europe, embodying a pre-patriarchal worldview of reverence for Mother Earth. The dances serve to strengthen community, heal trauma, prevent conflict, encourage communal celebration, and create a culture of peace.

Women of rural Eastern Europe have preserved these ritual dances into the present day, continuing a living lineage of ancient priestess traditions. Through careful attention to the symbols encoded within the dances, we can decipher their hidden wisdom and receive the many gifts they offer to women today, whatever our own beliefs or background.

With an evening concert:

Hymns to Mother Earth

Greek, Roma, Armenian, Albanian, Turkish and Jewish songs with Kostantis Kourmadias, Laura Shannon and special Guest Heloise Pilkington

Friday 27th March 2026

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
at the Goddess Hall, Benedict Street, Glastonbury

This concert presents ancient traditional songs from Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as original compositions. Christian, Jewish and Muslim love songs can be read as mystic poems which honour the earth and witness the soul’s journey. We honour shared musical, cultural and spiritual traditions of East and West, singing songs to emphasise our connection and plant seeds of acceptance and understanding among different peoples and faiths.