Traditional dances
Folk music and traditional dances have always had the purpose of keeping people together merrily, tightening the relationships within the community; moreover they've served to keep the cultural peculiarities alive within the ethnic minorities. Therefore we think they represent an important heritage which must be preserved.
In our valley , the Valpantena, traditional dances were very common and rife at least till the Second World War. Evidence of this spreading are surnames, e.g. Danzi( which comes from "danza" the Italian for dance), districts' names, e.g. the district Ballarini ( which comes from "ballare" the Italian for to dance) and direct sources which have perpetuated the traditions. Unlike in other regions in Italy and Europe this abundant heritage has been preserved only partly in the Valpantena. Nevertheless the popularity of the ballroom dances in this area testifies to this old tradition.
Our organization has rediscovered many traditional dances and is trying to hand them down mainly to the younger generation
in order to promote and keep alive this cultural heritage.
Between the rediscovered dances we can mention the Sieben Schritte ( seven steps) Cori Bepi, the manfrina of Camposilvano, the
heel-and-toe, the Tzoty of Vadiporro, the Bassanello (which used to be danced at weddings in Cansiglio) and other Venetian
dances which have spread in the area inhabited by the Cimbri like the do pasi and the polesana.
We must say that most of our research on the topic relies on the work of other researchers and organizations active in our area.
