Pušteno – Greek Macedonia [Traditional]
| Links: | |
| Greek: | Πουστένο, Πουστσένο |
| Pronunciation: | POO-shtay-noh |
| Translation: | To Be Free, To Let Go |
| Region: | Flórina, Greek Macedonia (Aegean Macedonia) |
| Alias: | Pusčeno, Pušćeno, Pousteno, Poustseno, Pushteno, Levendikos |
| Dance Category: | Village Traditional/Living Dance |
| Format: | Open Circle |
| Skill: | Intermediate (easy dance, complex rhythm) |
| Energy: | Gentle to Moderate to Lively, depending on music |
| Hand Hold: | W or V |
| Meter: | Most commonly (9+7)/8 aka 16/16 = (2+2+2+3) + (2+2+3) (QQ)QM + (QQ)M |
| Phrasing: | 3 bars; SQQSQ x 3 in the basic form |
| Music: | Pusčeno in whatever spelling; Pushteno oro is faster and not quite the same dance, but close. Ibrahim Odža/Hodja (done in the pusčeno meter) is very popular. |
| Date Taught: | |
| Teacher: | David |
One of Diane M’s favorites, especially when done to live music by Christos Govetas and Drómeno at Balkan Camp.
From the family of 3-measure, stretched meter music dances of Macedonian and influences in Northern Greece, aka Greek Macedonia, aka Aegean Macedonia (if you are a Macedonian in favor of a United Macedonia). The Greek version (or just name) is Levendikos. Beraçe/Beranče is another family member, but the meter doesn’t generally stick in as many notes per beat. There is also a Beranče version that looks more like a čoček (that’s Diane’s version), but they all use music of similar rhythms. It just depends on the village: same name + different town = different dance! Pušteno is generally said to have originated in Flórina, a town near the northern border on the western side Greek Macedonia. This is also near Albania, and that influence is also present in the music.
Meter Note: Music is mixed meter with lots of notes per dance step. Danced SQQSQ with 3rd & 5th quicks stretched to mediums, according to particular music & players (follow the music). Music is most commonly (9+7)/8 aka 16/16 = (2+2+2+3) + (2+2+3) = QQQM + QQM, where S=4, M=3, and Q=2, so 2 Q’s are grouped to make a S: SQM+SM = ((2+2) (2) (3)) + ((2+2) (3)). Dancers can think of this as 1 & 2 3 4 & 5
*** UNDER CONSTRUCTION! ***
https://socalfolkdance.org/dances/P/Puscheno_(Levendikos)_(Kotansky).pdf
https://socalfolkdance.org/dances/P/Puschenu_(Levendikos)_(Graziosi).pdf
http://www.folkdance.com/LDNotations/BeraceLevendikosPusteno1994LD.pdf
https://folkdancemusings.blogspot.com/2014/02/pusteno-aegean-macedonia.html