Discover the Association of Eastern Romylians in Polykastro, Greece. A cultural group preserving Eastern Rumelian traditions, dances, history, and community heritage in Central Macedonia.
What Is the Association of Eastern Romylians?
The Association of Eastern Romylians in Polykastro (Greek: Σύλλογος Ανατολικορωμυλιωτών Πολυκάστρου) is a cultural organization dedicated to preserving the history, identity, and traditions of the Eastern Romylians—Greek-speaking and Greek-heritage communities originally from Eastern Rumelia, a historical region in today’s southern Bulgaria.
The association plays a key role in cultural preservation, community events, traditional dance, and intergenerational heritage education in the wider region of Kilkis, northern Greece.
Historical Background
Eastern Rumelia (1878–1908) was an autonomous region of the Ottoman Empire populated by Greek, Bulgarian, and other Balkan communities.
After political changes and conflicts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Greek families resettled in Macedonia, including the area around Polykastro.
The association was established to preserve the memory, customs, dances, dialect, and folklore of these communities.
Main Activities of the Association
Traditional Dance Groups: Performing Eastern Romylian dances in festivals across Greece.
Cultural Events & Festivals: Annual gatherings celebrating music, food, costumes, and heritage.
Historical Preservation: Research, archives, oral history, and community memory.
Youth Engagement: Teaching younger generations traditional dances, songs, and customs.
Community Participation: Involvement in regional cultural networks and Macedonia-wide cultural festivals.
Why It Matters
The association is an important cultural pillar for Polykastro, maintaining a living connection between modern residents and their ancestral roots in Eastern Rumelia.
It contributes to regional cultural tourism and strengthens the diverse identity of Central Macedonia.
Visitors and researchers interested in Balkan history, population exchanges, and Greek folklore can learn directly from the community.
Location
The Association is based in Polykastro, a town in the municipality of Paionia, Kilkis regional unit, close to:
- Axioupoli
- Gevgelija (North Macedonia)
- Thessaloniki (approx. 60 km)
- Idomeni border region