On
our trip to Poland for the Comenius Project we learned something about
traditional dances like the Polish polonaise. The Polish polonaise is one of
the most important dances: It is not only tradition but also obligatory for
graduates.
The
polonaise originated in the 16th century, when it was danced as an
ovation to Poland.
The steps are really easy and taught in school. For this reason,
however, young people find it boring and don’t have real ambitions to learn it.
Anyway, by Studniówka, a traditional ball 100 days before the students write
their exam (“matura”), it is necessary to know the polonaise. Studniówka is
organized by parents and it is a party that should bring luck for the “matura”.
It is also the first time when students have the permission to drink alcohol, especially
champagne, with their teachers. The tradition of Studniówka also says that it
brings luck to the students if girls and boys wear red underwear.
Apart from the polonaise there are four other traditional dances named Mazurka, Kujawiak, Krakowiak and Oberek.
Apart from the polonaise there are four other traditional dances named Mazurka, Kujawiak, Krakowiak and Oberek.
First
of all there is Krakowiak: It is a dance for couples and the choreography
should imitate horses, which were well loved in Krakow, the region where
Krakowiak was danced the first time.
Next
there is the Oberek: The name means “to spin” and it is a very fast dance,
composed of lifts and jumps. Oberek is also one of the most popular dances in
the Polish-American music and also one of the fastest dances. The beauty of the
dance depends on the dancer and his skills. Furthermore, Oberek shares some
moves with the Mazurka, which I will mention now.
Mazurka is a version derived from the Mazurek which is always found to have a triplet, trill, dotted eighth note pair, or an ordinary eighth note pair before two quarter notes. In the 19th century this Mazurek became very popular in other parts of Europe as well, where it is known as Mazurka. Mazurka was also promoted in Saxony but it didn’t work well. Almost 80 years later, Mazurka was re-introduced in Germany and gained in importance.
Mazurka is a version derived from the Mazurek which is always found to have a triplet, trill, dotted eighth note pair, or an ordinary eighth note pair before two quarter notes. In the 19th century this Mazurek became very popular in other parts of Europe as well, where it is known as Mazurka. Mazurka was also promoted in Saxony but it didn’t work well. Almost 80 years later, Mazurka was re-introduced in Germany and gained in importance.
Frédéric
Chopin, the famous Polish composer, produced many tracks for Mazurka, Krakowiak
and other polish folkdances. For example,
he composed 60 Mazurkas.
Finally, there is the
Kujawiak: It is named after the region of Kujawy. Kujawy is a slow, sometimes
perceived as sleepy, dance for couples.
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