FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 160, 22 June 1935, Page 9

FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL

Britain’s Pioneering Venture

The International (European) Folk Dance Festival, which will be held in London from July 15th to 20th, 1935, will be the first of its kind, and although the project is an ambitious one it is felt that the present time is opportune for such a gathering. Folk-dancing is one of the means whereby the growth of national consciousness and the desire for international unity can be harmonised, for the folk-dances of each country express in a distinctive national way the fundamental needs and emotions which are common to all people. Through the genius of Cecil Sharp, England has already set an example in tho scientific collection and the revival of folk-dances, and Cecil Sharp House as a centre of folk-music is probably a unique building. It seems appropriate therefore that England should be one of the poineers in bringing together and offering hospitality to the folk-dancers of other countries.

The Festival is designed (1) To promote understanding and friendship between nations through the mutual interest of folk-dance. (2) To demonstrate the value of folk-dance in the social life of to-day, and (3) To study by means of comparison and contrast the origin and relationship of the folkdance of various countries.