Rallou Manou

Rallou Manou (June 26, 1915 – October 15, 1988) was a pioneering Greek dancer, choreographer, and teacher whose work laid a foundation for modern dance in Greece. Born in Athens into a prominent family, her heritage included the notable Phanariote families of Manos and Mavrokordatos on her father’s side, and the legendary sea captains of Hydra on her mother’s. She was the granddaughter of Thrasyvoulos Manos and the great-granddaughter of Georgios Tombazis, an admiral and minister. Her father, Petros Manos, was a Macedonian fighter, and her half-sister, Aspasia Manou, married King Alexander of Greece.

Manou began her dance studies under Koulou Pratsika and then continued in Paris and Munich, where she earned her dance diploma. She later trained in New York with Martha Graham, an experience that influenced her style and led her to introduce Graham’s methods to Greece. In 1941, she founded the “Rallou Manou School” to provide high-level dance education. In 1950, Manou established the Greek Dance Drama (Ελληνικό Χορόδραμα) with composer Manos Hadjidakis and painter Spyros Vassiliou, creating Greece’s first independent dance company. The troupe brought to life the works of composers like Mikis Theodorakis and Argyris Kounadis, with sets by renowned artists such as Giannis Moralis and Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas. In 1959, she choreographed for Karolos Koun’s production of The Birds at the Art Theatre, a landmark in Greek theatre.

Manou’s works blended Greek cultural heritage with innovative modern dance. Her notable choreographies include The Cursed Serpent, inspired by the traditional Greek shadow theatre of Karagiozis; Six Folk Paintings, based on popular music by Tsitsanis and Mitsakis; Pandora; Orpheus and Eurydice; The Song of the Dead Brother; Erofili, a collaboration with Dora Tsatsou; and Medea, one of her most significant roles. Her last work, The Trilogy of the Sun, drew from ancient Greek tragedy.

Manou viewed Greek identity as an intrinsic quality, believing that Greekness was “something in your blood.” She felt that dance should empower people to express themselves confidently within society. Her achievements earned her numerous awards, including the Gold Cross of the Order of Beneficence, the Gold Cross of Saint Mark from the Patriarchate of Alexandria, and a Bronze Medal from the Academy of Athens.

Manou’s work symbolised the mid-20th-century Greek artistic renaissance, a time when intellectuals and artists regularly gathered in cafés like Loumidis and at bohemian workshops. Her choreography reflected an awareness of Greek cultural traditions while engaging with international influences, creating a new and authentic form of Greek dance theatre that remains celebrated for its artistry and innovation.

Source: Wikipedia, Metapedia & Thessalonikinfo