Thessaloniki just set a Guinness World Record for the largest zeimbekiko ever danced, with 830 participants moving in un...

Thessaloniki just set a Guinness World Record for the largest zeimbekiko ever danced, with 830 participants moving in unison to break the previous record held by Cyprus, which had 754 dancers. Participants came from across Greece and from 12 other countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, France, Germany, Austria, Norway, Serbia, Poland, Turkey, Cyprus, China, and the United States. Some flew in specifically for the event, with no prize money on the line, just the record itself. The event was organized by dance instructor Themis Parastatis, who came up with the idea a year ago after seeing how deeply people abroad still connect with zeimbekiko. The record attempt was also tied to a cause: raising awareness for Alzheimer's disease, in partnership with the Hellenic Alzheimer's Society. Parastatis has been teaching dance to elderly Alzheimer's patients for several years. He says dance works the memory directly, since dancers must remember sequences and coordinate their movements, while the social aspect helps with psychological wellbeing, bringing people into contact with each other in ways that isolation cannot replicate. On June 12 and 13, participants attended preparatory lessons to learn the choreography before the official attempt on the record day. A Guinness representative was on site to oversee the strict verification process, which covers everything from headcounts to the quality of the performance itself. The official said the Thessaloniki participants performed perfectly. The record was officially awarded as "We Are the Champions" by Queen played over the speakers. #Thessaloniki #Greece #GuinnessWorldRecord