Greek-Argentinian Awarded As Distinguished Cultural Figure

Greek-Argentinian choreographer and dance instructor Jorge Dermitzakis received a Distinguished Personality of Culture Award by the Argentinian government. The 82-year-old Greek Diaspora member is the first Greek-Argentinian to ever receive such a distinction and he is extremely happy about it.

Jorge Dermitzakis was born in Buenos Aires, after his parents emigrated from Chania. Dance has been his passion for many years and he always dances to Greek music. Despite his age, he continues to work and his dance team performs in Argentina, Peru, Uruguay and Brazil. At the moment he is working on a choreography based on the poems by Cavafy.

Mr. Dermitzakis has visited Greece many times and believes that his country of origin is an amazing place. He speaks Greek while his partner in life and dance, Angeliki Sideraki, is also a Greek Diaspora member, originating from Chios and Cappadocia.

As Dermitzakis has stated he represents the union between Greek and Argentina and feels that he is Greek as much as he is Argentinian.

Keeping it a secret from his parents, at the age of 14, Dermitzakis started dancing although his regular training began after completing his university studies and working as a civil engineer. From then on, his passion flourished leading him to choreograph his own dances. During the ‘70s he staged his own version of Zorba the Greek which was very successful in Argentina.