The population of each country has its own folk dances. They are also called traditional, ethnic, folklore or national. The roots of folk dances go back to the history of the emergence of each ethnic group. The rhythms, movements, costumes of the dance correspond only to that particular area in which it originated.
First comes to mind
So the Polish folk dance can tell a lot about the place where it arose, about the culture of the people who inhabited this territory and much more. Dance, like songs, language, clothing and customs, developed and reinforced the sense of belonging of an individual to a particular group of people. And although in every corner of this country, national dances have their own characteristics, the first to come to mind when mentioning the Polish folk dance is Krakow. Although this folk Polish dance is far from one - there are many of them.
No less famous
It should be noted that the originality of folk dance determines not only the locality. It influences the pattern of dancing and the estate. No less famous in the country and beyond is the dance procession, the “three-parted” march - the polonaise, which usually opened balls.
For a long time, the polonaise was performed only at weddings, and later - at all festivities. His experts are inclined to consider his progenitor a dance called "running". Another polonaise and its prototype are called “foot”, “free”, “old-world”. From all this it is clear that the dance is slow. The very later name "polonaise" is considered the French interpretation of the word "Polish". “Khodozny” was popular in all corners of the country, where it was overgrown with its characteristic movements and received the names of Krakow, Kuyavia, and Šljenski. There were French and Russian options. In the presence of a huge number of figures in all its interpretations the slowness, solemnity and importance of execution are sacredly maintained.
Country wealth
But Krakowiak is a Polish folk dance, which is a kind of visiting card of the country. Judging by the name, this pair fast dance, which has not lost its relevance for 6 centuries, originated in Krakow, and then spread throughout the territory. It is in Krakow, the city that is considered the heart of Poland, that the annual dance festival called “Krakowyak” takes place. This festival, sponsored by the city authorities, gathers dozens of groups from all over the country and from abroad.
The history of the dance and costumes for him
Appearing in the Krakow Voivodeship in the 14th century, Krakow was first played only by men, and Krakow guys were praised in it, but later it turned into a Polish folk dance.
The costume for this dance retains the features of the colorful national clothing of the inhabitants of the Krakow Voivodeship. So, the guys put on a white shirt, the spacious sleeves of which ended in wide cuffs. Red and white striped pants tucked into black boots. The camisole, worn over the shirt, was usually blue. A red confederate with peacock feathers and a yellow belt complemented this splendor. The girls outfit was not so colorful. The sleeves of the white blouse, like the red sleeveless jacket, were short. A snow-white, embroidered apron was worn over a fluffy and colorful skirt. A “crown” was worn over the head, ending on the back with numerous colorful ribbons. Red beads complemented the outfit.
Popular, popular, widely known …
This Polish folk dance was also popular with the gentry. Like a polonaise, it was considered solemn, called the "big dance" and included elements of both waltz and polka, and a march. Krakowiak is a fast dance, the number of pairs in it is usually even, it is performed, as a rule, accompanied by folk instruments.
A knee in a dance is a separate technique or figure, characterized by a certain effect. Krakow - two-knee dance. It is important to show oneself in it, so the performer’s posture is always straight, and his head is proudly raised. Krakowyak ballroom and Krakowyak folk scenic are distinguished by some movements, their sequence. In our country, the most famous is the krakowyak from the opera Ivan Susanin by M. Glinka. Krakovyak B.V. Astafyev from the ballet “Bakhchisarai Fountain” is also popular.
Other dances
Initially, absolutely every folk dance was an essential element of rituals and rituals; it was supposed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. As noted above, in Poland there are a lot of national dances. Polish folk dances are very popular, the names of which are given below: “kuyavyak with oberek” and “mazur”, “guralsky zbuynitski” and “vivat Greater Poland”, “wolf” and “triple шljenski”. Needless to say, the Mazurka is also from Poland? And what did the great Polish composer Frederic Chopin write 60 mazurkas? And how popular was the most universal Polish dance, which was performed not only in all corners of Poland itself, but also in every pioneer camp in pre-war and post-war Russia!
Performed by triples
The Polish folk dance "triple", as the name implies, is performed by triples - two girls and one young man. It consisted of two parts - slow and fast. In the first section, the guy solemnly leads the girls in a circle, and in the second, the girls quickly spin under the claps of the guys, and then, when the young man spins in dance with one of the girls in turn, the second, dancing, runs around them. A cheerful and playful Polish dance can be imagined as the Polish folk dance of the three, that is, performed by three dancers.
Regional dances
The following dances are not listed: “Jacek” (Carpathian Voivodeship), “Volnyak” (Kielce - a city in central Poland, located 170 km from Warsaw), “Oberek” (Mazovia - a historical region, the center of which was Warsaw). These are regional folk dances. Polish Kuyaviak comes from Kuyavia, a historical Polish region located in the north of the country (in the interfluve of Notetsi and Vistula).
This dance is considered the vivid opposite of the fast, fun collective revolving dance “oberek”, which is characterized by high tempo, refrains and shouts. Kuyaviak was originally called "sleeping" - very slow and smooth movements of the dance ended with not very strong tapping. Such was the landscape in Kuyavia - quiet, calm, free.
