The Kouloura bread and the Kleisto dance beautifully capture the essence of Greek cultural heritage and the joy of celebrating together. Both are heartfelt traditions that bring everyone closer and mark significant occasions.

The wedding is almost here! My son Constantine (Connor) is getting married to Samantha in just a couple of DAYS! As a first-generation Greek, my parents always tried to hold on to tradition, and one that we’ve preserved is the Kouloura. My parents are from Northern Greece, and like many regions, they had their own unique customs. Even though some of these traditions have faded in Greece, we try to keep them alive here in the U.S., hoping that future generations will continue to cherish them.

Traditions like these tell a story. I still remember my own Kouloura with my husband, Demetrios (Jim), and how it brought our families together, celebrating with food, drink, and of course, dancing. Greeks love a good party!

One of our most cherished traditions is the Kouloura, which takes place the week of the wedding and involves both sides of the family. We gather to watch the creation of a beautifully decorated bread, Kouloura, made by young, unmarried women. It’s heartwarming to see the couple watch as the women sing songs and throw a little flour on them—symbolizing growing old together. Once prepared, the bread is brought to the wedding to be shared with everyone, representing the unity of the two families.

While I’m sure this tradition has evolved over-time, this is how it was passed down to us, and it’s one we treasure. Since the wedding is in Detroit and the groom is from Grand Rapids, we decided to make the bread a month early, freeze it, and share it on the wedding day.

As the young ladies finished preparing the Kouloura, we invited everyone to join a circle and dance the Kleisto, a traditional slow dance from the mountains of Agrapha in Thessaly. The word Kleisto means “closed,” which is reflected in how we dance it—arms locked in a close circle. The dance starts at a slow pace but halfway through, the tempo picks up. This dance is a special way to start weddings and other important celebrations.

Enjoy our pictures and videos of our family’s Kouloura tradition!

Recipe: Kouloura

• 7 pounds of Five Roses flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 2 packages of yeast
• 1/2 cup of sugar

Instructions:
Sift the flour into a bowl. Dissolve the yeast in warm water with a bit of sugar. Once the yeast rises, add it to the flour along with warm water, and begin kneading the dough. Add more water as needed to achieve a firm but soft dough. Reserve some dough for decorating the top of the bread. Grease a round stainless steel pan and place the dough inside. Decorate as desired.

With this recipe and a dash of tradition, you can bring a taste of Greek heritage to your own family gatherings.