folkdance

Folk dance is a form of dance that expresses the culture, history, and social life of a community through traditional movement. It arises from everyday life events and is typically passed down through generations.

Folk dances are performed in informal settings to traditional regional music. They are not a single style but a category that includes many regional dances, each with its own steps, formations, and etiquette.

Common features include group participation, simple repetitive steps, and choreography learned by listening and observation. Dances may be performed in circles, lines, or with partners, and costumes or symbols may reflect local identity.

Repertoire is learned in families, schools, community groups, and cultural organizations. Folk dance can be revived or standardized for festivals, competitions, and performances.

Variations are widespread. European traditions include circle and line dances, and Balkan, Slavic, and Caucasian communities preserve distinct forms such as kolo and hora. Mediterranean, Celtic, and Nordic communities also maintain long-standing practices. In the Americas, folk dance reflects immigrant and Indigenous influences and is common at community celebrations and heritage events.

Today, folk dance is studied and performed by cultural centers, folklore societies, dance schools, and festivals, balancing preservation with contemporary interpretation.