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Builth Wells Dance Festival |
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The Peter Danco Dance Group
Slovakia is rich in folk music. The Slovaks' pride in their musical tradition is expressed in the saying Kde Slovák, tam spev (Wher-ever there is a Slovak, there is a song). The members of Peter Danco’s Dance group performed with various reputable Slovak groups touring in many countries in Europe and Asia, Africa, North and South America. The group is based in London and gets together regularly for performances in London, Britain and Europe. Peter took part in the national competitions for solo dancers winning second and third place and a third place in a choreographic competition of traditional dances. The group consists of a live band ( Violins, Viola, Accordion, Contrabass), Dancers, Singer and an instrumentalists who play Fujara and other pipes and whistles characteristic for Slovakia. ), The fujara is a large shepherd's flute held vertically in front of the body. More info on www.dancodance.szm.sk We will perform: Odzemok: The most typical man dance, prevailingly solo one is „odzemok" (picture: odzemok). It was danced in knee-bend or half knee-bend often with shepherd´s hatchef or baton in hand. Dancer so proved his skill. Historical forms of odzemok are known from more records (first ones from the 16th century). Roots of odzemok could be seen in old army and shepherd dances and robbers traditions Krucena: Whirling dance Whirling dances of the old style are characteristic of the Slovak village environment, but they are steadily disappearing from contemporary dance activity. Eastern Slovakia is an area where it is still possible to find a relatively large number of localities where this type of dance exists in a relatively lively form. This situation is helped to a significant degree by traditional groups, especially of players of stringed instruments, but also of other musical instruments, who maintained this dance in the Czardas, Gypsy, jewish, dances fetc. Here are some cut-outs for you about Slovakia and it’s folklore… No other European country has as strong and diverse folk traditions as Slovakia. Not surprising, considering that Slovakia has been at the crossroads of both traders and invaders for millennia – bringing goods and ideas from many other cultures and stimulating creativity in the making of everyday objects, entertainment and celebrations.Helping to keep colorful local traditions alive is the mountainous terrain, which isolated and insulated communities from each other and the homogenizing influences of cultural "progress". People in some Slovak villages wore folk costumes until the mid-20th century – both to preserve tradition and as a sign of resistance. While the country is now firmly in the 21st century, Slovaks take great pride in the distinctive music, dance, handicrafts and folklore that have been handed down through the generations
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