Zeybek from the Aegean: Robin Hoods of dance

Zeybek is a traditional folk dance from the Aegean region. It is one of the main folk dances in Izmir, which is the third biggest city of Turkey. In this video, we are in Ege University of Izmir and we talk to Prof. Mehmet Ocal Ozbilgin about the origins of zeybek dance. Ozbilgin’s expertise is in zeybek dance and he tells us the history and the music of zeybek. In this video you’ll be able to learn why zeybek is the dance of the ‘Robin Hoods’. While we talk to Ozbilgin, Ege University Turkish Folk Dances Community performs pieces of zeybek dance for us. Thanks to The Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Photography Collection (Suna ve İnan Kıraç Vakfı Fotoğraf Koleksiyonu) and SALT Research for the zeybek photos that we’ve used in the video. Links to the some of the music and the video pieces in this episode: ------------------------------------------------------------- In Dance Journals, we are telling the stories about dance from inspirational dancers to dances from all over the world. Please do not forget to subscribe and comment. Share your dance stories with us and ask us anything about dance so we can make a video about it.