Ballroom Dancing

 

David Roberts (U.K.)

Nancy Kapsali (Greece)

 

 

      It is only when we study the ordinary pursuits of man that history becomes really interesting. One of the brightest threads in the fabric of man's evolution has been his love of dance. At all times and in all places he has danced reflecting his joys, sorrows, passions and longings. Dance is older than architecture, sculpture, music or painting - older indeed than language itself. Dance has marked birth, marriages and death. Celebrations for planting, harvesting also called for dance. Dance chased away evil spirits and cured the sick. Ballroom dancing was probably the first form of dance that was purely for their own amusement.

 

      In the fifteenth century  the 'Basse Dance' brought important developments in 'together' dancing and first introduced in the courts of Italy it spread through France and to England. It became very fashionable in the courts throughout Europe to dance, and those who aspired to Court circles studied carefully the latest dances and copied them. 1776 was the most important year in the history of Ballroom Dancing when the most spirited and ecstatic dance The Waltz appeared in Vienna. This was the first real couple dance when they actually  touched and had close contact.

 

      It was the twentieth century when ballroom dancing met the masses. Throughout the century it has been the biggest pastime of every European nation. Surviving  two World Wars, when it kept the nations spirits alive, it became the way that boy met girl and the way that the working man enjoyed his leisure in the company of his lady. It became one of the few pastimes that a man could enjoy with his wife and has become  a lasting symbol of wholesome family pleasure and enjoyment. Ballroom dancing is for all ages ,all sizes all classes ,creeds and colours and I invite you to dip into the pleasure that is Ballroom Dancing . So start living - Start Ballroom Dancing with David .

 

 

The author

 

David Roberts is Centenary President of The United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing. An ex Champion Dancer he has trained some of the top champions in the world. Has taught, examined & Adjudicated in over 50 Countries. But his pleasure is still in teaching everyone to take their very first steps and to share with him his  love and joy of Ballroom dancing.

 

 

 

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Presented at the 19th World Congress on Dance Research

Larnaca, Cyprus, 9-13 November 2005