Dannevirke Scandinavian Club
Østjydske
– Folkedansere
THE
FOLK DANCERS OF EASTERN JUTLAND
(Who
visited Dannevirke on Saturday, 4 November 2000)
Background
Information
The
Group:
Østjydske – Folkedansere was started in 1976 to
represent Denmark in USA on the occasion of the bicentennial celebrations of the
United States. The group is
non-political and all the members are amateurs. The members of the group have civilian jobs, and take part in
folk dancing in their free time. The
group has represented Denmark in many countries, including USA, Canada,
Argentina, Australia, and several places in Europe.
The journey to New Zealand
has been
the group's 25th anniversary tour, and its members looked
forward with pleasure to the chance to meet New Zealanders.
One of the group's aims is to cultivate friendship around the world, and
to show people their folk-dancing and folk-music.
The group to tour New Zealand in
October-November 2000 consisted of 37 members.
The
Dances:
The type of dances presented by the group are those that were originally danced in Denmark by
peasants in the years 1750-1850 whenever there were celebrations.
Many of the dances are therefore named after persons for whom these
dances had a special significance. Similarly,
many of the dances bear the name of a district from which the dance originated.
Examples are the Queen's dance, Hans Rasmussen's waltz, Skørpinge
fourstep, the loyal Gryderup, and so on. In
the early years, the dances were handed down through families, and only from
about 1780 were they written down. So that today we can read how they should be
danced. Research continues in the
year 2000 on the archaic records to find new dances from the years 1750-1850.
The East Jutland dancers present a selection of the 850 different
dances that are known.
The
Costumes: Østjydske – Folkedansere
has
copied the celebration costumes worn by Danish farming folk during the period
1750-1850. Like those people, the clothes the group wears are of hand-woven
fabric, have fine lace and have hand-made tin or silver buttons and buckles.
Each costume is hand made in the same way as it would have originally been made,
and it takes 2-3 years to sew a pair of costumes. Caps worn by the women
indicate where in Denmark they are from.
The
Musicians:
The music used in the dances
also comes from the same period, 1750-1850. Originally,
the music was not recorded in written form, and there were musicians throughout
the country who could play by ear. Later,
these melodies were written down, so we have today a complete set of music for
all the dances. The East Jutland dance group brought three musicians with them
to New Zealand.
-
A clarinet player, who is one of the best in
Denmark. She also teaches
others to play the clarinet.
-
An accordion player, who started about 5 years
ago, and is very accomplished.
-
A violinist, who has played for many years and
is a fantastic player.
The three musicians provide their audiences
with a memorable experience, both in their accompaniment to the dancers
and when they play solo items.
Back
to Photo Album page