甚麼是國際民俗舞蹈_What is Int’l Folk Dancing

國際民俗舞蹈(或稱國際土風舞、世界民族舞蹈、世界民俗舞蹈)是一種由同一群舞者跳不同民族族群舞蹈的舞蹈類型,通常是娛樂性質的社團。跳舞的目的是為了娛樂或表演,通常舞蹈所考慮的是各族群舞蹈的文化傳統。國際民俗舞蹈不需要任何特定族群的成員。

International folk dance is a genre of dance where in selected folk dances from multiple ethnic groups are done by the same dancers, typically as part of a regular recreational dance club, for performances or at other events. The dances are typically considered the products of national or cultural traditions rather than part of an international tradition. International folk dancers need not be a member of any particular ethnicity.

國際民俗舞蹈有多種目的,通常是保存文化、娛樂或表演。社團舞蹈目的不同,所選擇的舞蹈也不同。以娛樂為目的的社團所選擇的舞蹈通常都偏向於個人的喜好。而以表演為目的的社團所選擇的舞蹈通常都偏向於具有舞台效果的舞蹈,這些舞蹈通常需要高度的技巧及明顯的肢體動作。不過,娛樂與表演也是有重疊的部分,以上兩類的舞者通常也注重舞蹈文化的保存。

Some recreational international folk dance groups also perform dances not strictly considered folk dances. These are dances which are choreographed, or are aristocratic in nature. Choreographed modern Israeli folk dancing is often incorporated into international folk dance repertoire.It is done for various purposes, typically for preservation, recreation, or performance. Groups that dance for different purposes tend to do dances differently, and to select different dances. Recreational dancers select and tend to alter the dances (often unintentionally) according to their own tastes, and as a result of the changes that inevitably occur as dances are passed on from one person to the next. Performers typically prefer dramatic, flamboyant, or athletic dances, and they often tend to dance with stylized techniques and exaggerated movements. Dances for performances are usually selected and choreographed for presentation on stage. Nevertheless, there is substantial overlap between the dances done for recreation and performance. Some dancers of both types are often concerned with the preservation of a dance for its cultural value.

國際民俗舞蹈起源於20世紀初美國的移民社區。各國傳統舞蹈,如branlespolkas、 quadrilles等,一直在國際上傳承了幾百年。然而國際民俗舞蹈是由一位立陶宛裔美籍人Vytautas Beliajus創立的,他在1930年代不斷的學習、教導、表演各國傳統民俗舞蹈。其他知名教師包括Michael Herman、Mary Ann Herman、Jane Farwell、Dick Crum。

International folk dance developed in the immigrant communities of the United States of America during the first half of the 20th century. Traditional dances such as branles, polkas, quadrilles and others have been done internationally for hundreds of years; however, the creation of international folk dance as such is often attributed to Vytautas Beliajus, a Lithuanian-American who studied, taught, and performed dances from various ethnic traditions in the 1930s. Other prominent teachers and promoters of international folk dance in its first few decades included Michael Herman and Mary Ann Herman, Jane Farwell, and Dick Crum.

國際民俗舞蹈已發展成一個大型舞者的社群,橫跨美國、歐洲、加拿大、日本、澳洲和其他國家。每年舉辦許多舞蹈節慶、舞蹈營隊或聘請教師講習各個舞蹈傳統。這些社群通常討論的是歐洲舞,但也包括來自世界各地的舞蹈:歐洲、非洲、南北美洲、中東、遠東、澳大利亞和南太平洋。

International folk dance has grown into a large community of dancers, performing groups and recreational folk dance clubs throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and other countries. Dance festivals and conventions are held year-round. Dance "camps" or workshops invite teachers to instruct dancers in dances from many traditions. These groups usually focus on European dances, but the international folk dance repertoire may include dances from every part of the world: Europe, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, the Far East, Australia and the South Pacific.

(上述資料源自[維基百科] Above article from WIKIPEDIA)