Our History
To understand our identity, we must first come to know our place and its history.
Mygdonia was a region of ancient Macedonia, located between the Axios and Strymon rivers. Its geographical extent stretched from areas south of Pella to the Rentina passes, making it a land of strong natural presence and particular historical significance.
The inhabitants of the region, known as the Mygdonians, were among the oldest tribes of the area, maintaining a deep connection to the land, their customs, and their traditions.
According to tradition, the name “Mygdonia” is associated with the element of water, as in both the Phoenician and ancient Greek alphabets it was rendered as “the land of waters” — a name that reflects the natural wealth and uniqueness of the region.
Mygdonia was not simply a place on the map. It was a living space where nature, history, and culture coexisted, leaving their mark through time.
In the same area, according to certain historical references, the name “Alindoia” is also found. However, its identification with the modern region is not fully substantiated, as other historians place it geographically toward the area of Vasilika.
Alindoia appears to have been part of the wider Mygdonia, a large and important province of ancient Macedonia, which covered an extensive geographical area.
During the prehistoric period, up to approximately 2000 BC, much of this broader region was covered by water. The earliest inhabitants lived in pile-dwelling houses built within or along the shores of the lakes, fully adapted to the aquatic environment.
Over the course of centuries, and through linguistic and historical transformations, the name “Alindoia” was gradually replaced by the modern name of the region, known as Lagkadas.
The name is not accidental. It derives from the morphology of the area, as it is a natural “lagadi” (valley), a land deeply connected with water. The wider region, moreover, is lake-adjacent, with a direct relationship to Lakes Koroneia and Volvi.
From ancient Mygdonia — the “land of waters” — to today’s Lagkadas, the identity of the region remains deeply connected to water, which has shaped both its landscape and the lives of its people.
The beginning of our own history dates back to the early 1990s, when a group of friends—students, university students, and scientists—sharing a common love for tradition, made an initial effort to keep it alive as a dance group.
This effort was warmly embraced and substantially supported by the Holy Metropolis of Lagkadas, where it operated as the “Dance Group of the Holy Metropolis of Lagkadas,” under the guidance of Archimandrite Theodosios Emmanouil. For approximately a decade, the local Church served as the main pillar of support, providing continuity and stability to the group’s activities.
A characteristic feature of that period was also the group’s banner: a velvet blue flag with gold-embroidered lettering, bearing the symbol “ΧΡ” (Chi-Rho), one of the most well-known Christograms of the Orthodox tradition. In the centre, within a circle, the Vergina Sun was depicted, symbolically connecting faith with the historical identity of Macedonia.
In 1997, following a trip to Romania, the need for a clearer identity emerged. At that time, the group adopted the name “Mygdones,” connecting the present with the history of the region.
The natural evolution of this journey came in 2000, when the group acquired legal status and was officially founded as the Cultural Organisation “Mygdonia” of Lagkadas. Alongside its establishment, the first statute was drafted, laying the foundations for an organised and long-term course.
In October 2001, on the occasion of participation in a festival in the city of Strzegom, Poland, the first elections of the organisation were held. The first president elected was Stylianos Karagiovanis, while Athanasios Karatheodorous assumed the role of dance instructor, a position he continues to hold to this day.
From then until today, Mygdonia has evolved into a living cultural hub, with more than 200 active members of all ages.
The dance groups — children’s, youth, beginners, adults, and the performance group — form the core of the organisation’s activity, keeping folk tradition alive through continuous participation and creative expression.
With respect for authenticity and through systematic research, dances, songs, and customs from all over Greece are taught and presented, while the organisation also maintains a rich collection of traditional costumes and jewellery, both authentic and faithful replicas.
Mygdonia’s presence extends beyond the country’s borders. We have participated in numerous international festivals across Europe, as well as in Mexico, Bahrain, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, receiving highly positive feedback.
Special moments in our journey include important distinctions at international festivals, such as the first prize at the Fêtes de la vigne in Dijon, France, in 2022, and the first prize, known as the Grand Prix at the Tydzień Kultury Beskidzkiej and Międzynarodowe Spotkania Folklorystyczne in Żywiec, Poland, in 2024, where the victory in the competition was dedicated to Nikitas Karatheodorous, the “great absent one,” our fellow dancer and one of the victims of the Tempi train disaster.
Over the years, the presidency of the organisation has been held by individuals who have made a substantial contribution to its development, such as Tryfon Tsobanis, Dimitris Papageorgiou, and the current president, Ms Maria Moutlia, each leaving their own positive mark.
Today, Mygdonia is more than just an association. It is a living community of people who share rhythms, experiences, and values.
And perhaps the most beautiful part of all: many of the first dancers are still active today — either themselves or through their children — proving that tradition does not stop, but is passed from generation to generation.
This journey continues with the same vision that gave it birth:
To keep tradition alive — not as a trace of the past, but as an active part of the present and a valuable legacy for our future.
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Johnathan Doe
Co-founder/CEO
Johnathan Doe
Co-founder/CEO
Johnathan Doe
Co-founder/CEO
Johnathan Doe
Co-founder/CFO
Johnathan Doe
Co-founder/CEO
Johnathan Doe
Co-founder/CEO