Folk dances are dances that are developed by people that reflect the life of the

people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances; for

example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances.

Ritual dances are usually called "Religious dances" because of their purpose.

The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the

cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. If

some dances, such as polka, cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary

between "folk" and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable

enough to mention, e.g., Czech polka vs. German polka.

Serbian folk dancing is an old tradition and a strong element in the Serbian culture. The traditional

dances are of social function, bringing the community and families together at various important days such

as weddings, Christmas or Easter. The dances can be part of performance art (theatre, i.e. part of historical

events) and social life. Kolo is the traditional collective folk dance, where a group of people (usually several

dozen, at the very least three) holding each other by the hands or around the waist, dance, i deally in a circle,

hence the name. There is almost no movement above the waist. Each region has at least one unique kolo. The

dance is accompanied by instrumental two-beat music with the same name, made most often with an

accordiaon, but also with other instruments: frula (traditional kind of the flute), tamburica, sargija, zurla,

gajde, tapan, or harmonica.

Folk dancing in Serbia is very popular. There are hundreds of folk ensembles in the whole country. Serbia

even has the national enseble called "Kolo" which represents Serbian tradition, customs and dances in the

country and abroad. The entire ensemble is professional, meaning they are financed form the state budget.

Serbian folk dancing, being so live and rhytmic, always wins first awards on internatio nal folk dancing

festivals.

Interkultura Serbia has good cooperation with several folk ensembles. Some of our exchange students have

joined them and that has been an hounour for the ensembles where they have danced

We much love folk dances and our club ,,Smederevo,, .

AUTORS:

Ilija Stipanović

Aleksandra Dobrić