The waltz originated with peasants in Germany and Austria. The English and the Americans developed their own style, slower, while the Viennese waltz became faster, closer, more scandalous and to a different beat. In Vienna, the music and the dance are one, elegant and forever linked to Austria.
The foxtrot has African-American roots, changing as the music evolved. Tango is Argentinian, danced by European immigrants and African slaves. Argentine tango, a dance of pure passion, is said to have come from bordellos. Now, there are several versions, from slow to fast with passion at the center, preserved.
Begun by peasants, slaves and in houses of ill repute to magnificent palaces and castles around the world ballroom dancing has become a European sport beginning with children with people in their 70‘s still taking home ribbons and trophies.
Latin dancing has similar roots but with far more energy. Jive and swing dancing originated in the US, once again with an African-American base, and became a gift to Europe by American soldiers. The Cuban cha cha is a fun triple step, which professional dancers have beautifully choreographed into much more. Paso Doble comes from French soldiers marching and became an incredible dance in Spain to simulate the beauty and fierceness of a bullfight. In a ballroom, it becomes clear that only two great athletes can do justice to such a dance.
Tuxedos, tail suits and gowns have replaced the sacks and rags of slaves and peasants for ballroom dances. Latin dancers wear beautiful costumes that leave little to the imagination, the athleticism taking a back seat to no sport.
No other sport reflects such beauty, celebrating the human form, or is such a celebration of culture. What might be called cultural appropriation is really a celebration of cultural integration. That much of European dancing came from the America’s draws us together, just like blue jeans. The Ukrainian announcer made sure that for each dance team, the nationality celebrated. For two days, I watched Poles, English, Ukrainians, Finns, English, Czechs, Germans, Swiss, French and Italians having fun. I laughed as six Italians tried to teach a woman from England gestures such as the pinched fingers, perfetto, and chin flick. She didn’t quite get it. Maybe it’s genetic.
It is not lost on me that nearly all of the nations dancing over the last two days here in Vienna have cast off the shackles of totalitarian government, with Ukraine fighting the invaders from the east, as Israeli’s struggle to protect their homeland. Slaves danced for mental freedom. Is dancing a cultural celebration of freedom?
Dancing is freedom from so many things, including self. For years, I lived to work and little else. I was drawn to dancing not as a young man, but as an older man who wanted to live. I worked too much. Now I work, but to dance. One person said, I have seen people your age dancing, but never one your age who learned to dance.
I have found the fountain of youth and a bit of freedom from self, while admiring dancers from Finland to Italy, and Poland to England while Americans came from Florida and Texas to be here in Vienna.
I never imagined this would become such a part of my life. If all goes well, in May we will meet in Blackpool, England, then Estonia and back to Germany. It seems too far off.
azuldelmar2kr 