206- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
No wonder the Romans liked Spain: the dancing girls
of Cadiz were famous. Fast-forward 2,000 years and the
country remains renowned for its movers and shakers.
Indeed, modern Spain harbours a rich dance tradition of
flamenco, folk, Classical and modern styles.Spanish folk dancing
Most of Spain’s regional music styles have an
accompanying dance, trotted out forfiestas. No doubt
you’re picturingflamenco, the fiery footstomper so
indicative of Andalusia and for many (mistakenly)
resonant of Spain as a whole. But there are thousands
more. Some are danced solo, others in pairs or large
groups. Many find the participants wielding swords or
sticks (the latter known aspaloteos). Here are five
regional dances that you might not be familiar with but
are, rest assured, all the rage in their respective regions:Sardana. Stand in a ring, link hands, bob, weave and
move from side to side in a formal manner. Welcome
to Catalonia’s dancefloor favourite, the rather earnest
sardana. Famously enacted in front of Barcelona’s
Gothic cathedral on weekends and Wednesdays, some
say thesardanais more about asserting Catalan identity
than having fun.Jota. Perhaps the most danced of Spain’s local jigs,
this one began in Aragón but now seems to have
variants throughout northern and central Spain.The foot
movement is reminiscent of a bouncing waltz with
hands in the air clacking castanets. Part of the fourth act
from Bizet’sCarmen, theAragonaise, is ajota.Strut your stuff
ThePaso Doble, literally
‘double step’ in Spanish,
mimics the theatrical
pomp of the bullfight.
The lead dancer takes on
the role of the matador
while his partner usually
plays the cape, or even
the bull at some points.
For all its Spanishness,
thePaso Dobleactually
evolved in southern
France in the early 20th
century.
4.2.3 Moving stories: Spanish dance