Description
With “40 Breton dances with their cultural background” by Corina Oosterveen you hold the most comprehensive textbook for Breton dances in German in your hands. This work not only offers dancers and dance leaders the opportunity to learn traditional Breton dances, but also provides in-depth knowledge of the cultural context that makes these dances so unique.
A bridge to Breton culture
Breton dances are more than just moving to music. They are a window into the rich history and culture of Brittany. The book “40 Breton dances with their cultural background” offers a detailed introduction to the traditional instruments, the musical accompaniment, the development of Breton dance, the Celtic language, Breton costumes and cuisine as well as many other aspects that contribute to the cultural identity of Brittany.
Learning through practice
Each of the 40 dances is introduced with a sheet music example and a choreography in the usual dance script. The book “40 Breton dances with their cultural background” also deals with common variations and offers levels of difficulty that make it easy to get started. From Branles doubles to Branles simples and Branles gays to other and imported dances – this book covers the whole spectrum.
Richly illustrated work
Numerous drawings, maps and photographs illustrate this lavishly designed book, which offers not only a guide to dancing, but also a visual journey through Brittany. The bonus material in the media library, the album “Breton Dances – Nous les ferons danser” by the group “La Marmotte” offers the perfect musical accompaniment to practise the dances and put the knowledge you have learned into practice.
Personal insights and motivation
In her foreword, Corina Oosterveen shares personal experiences and insights that awakened her love of Breton dance. Her book “40 Breton dances with their cultural background” is an invitation to all those who enjoy movement and want to discover the world through dance. It encourages people not only to learn Breton dances, but also to see them as part of a living cultural expression.
A book for all ages
The dances are prepared in such a way that they are suitable for school children from the age of 8, but also appeal to adults and senior citizens. Corina Oosterveen emphasizes that Breton dances are not show dances, but dances to dance along to. This integrative approach makes the book a valuable companion for dance enthusiasts of all ages.
A comprehensive guide
The book offers not only dance instructions, but also insights into the history, stories, music, instruments, the Breton language and much more. It is a comprehensive guide that invites readers to engage with Breton culture in a holistic way.
With “40 Breton dances with their cultural background” by Corina Oosterveen, you not only acquire a dance textbook, but also a key to Breton culture and tradition. Immerse yourself in the world of Breton dance and experience how dance and culture can foster a unique sense of community.
Foreword
Demat (Bonjour) dear dancers
and all those who want to become one.
When I was 13 years old (1974), in the prime of my adolescence, I was introduced to the twin towns of Lorient and Ludwigshafen/Rh. to Brittany. There I experienced something that has unfortunately long since been lost here; a traditional village dance festival where young and old danced together. Far from being a lover of folklore (especially at that age), I was nevertheless thrilled. I realized that culture is lived here, that dance creates one of the very rare moments in social life that lets you feel a sense of community. Anyone who has ever danced the Breton dances knows what I’m talking about. The separation of Brittany from France has preserved one of the oldest European dance styles, which is not characterized by the complexity of the steps or dance forms, but by the rhythm of the dance – this of course promotes the “group feeling” that I felt at the time and that I experience again and again. I have been dancing ever since and have made it my profession for several years now. Even though my field of work is not only traditional dance but also improvisation and dance theater, my love remains there.
I am happy when more and more people dance, because I know from my pedagogical and therapeutic experience that dance and movement are the primal means of expression that comes far before language. The rise of all kinds of dance, but also the resurgence of bal-folk and festoù-noz speak to the fact that we recognize the deficit in our everyday lives and realize that we are physically illiterate. We can only move the world if we move!
I have therefore decided to compile the Breton dances into a book. They are lively and easy to dance after an introduction. As far as I know, there is only one translation of a book by the Ti Kendalc’h association in Germany, which is too complex because it is not written in the usual dance script and the modern versions are not listed. Dances that live are naturally also subject to fashions.
I have been noting down traditional dances (I don’t call them folklore, as they are still alive) on my travels through Europe since 1980 and keep going back to Brittany. This book contains mainly dances as they are most frequently danced today, partly in comparison to traditional forms danced 50 years ago.
- Travel to Brittany and dance along.
- Go to one of the Bal-Folks or Festou-Noz taking place in Germany. You will see that the atmosphere will carry you away, even if you think you can’t dance.
- Change the dance descriptions for your target group and draw inspiration from these forms. (“Hail, he who creates new dances”, Nietzsche)
These dances, as they are notated, are suitable for school children from the age of 8 in open work, for groups with experience from 6 years up to senior age.
- Only the Avant-Deux de Travers and the Kas abarh are suitable for dancing on stage, as the Breton dances are not show dances, but dances to dance along to.
Holism is the concept of my work: history and stories are important for the appearance of a culture, and so I have incorporated them into my work. I have also written some things in Breton to give you an idea of the language.
I hope you enjoy this book and dancing, deskomp brezhoneg. Kenavo avro breizh, see you in Brittany
Spring 1995
Corina Oosterveen
Author:in
Corina Oosterveen
Started with traditional dances at the age of 13.
1981/82 Work in Paris on the physicality of adolescents and their development (1986 thesis), during this time member of the “Cercle Breton de Paris”.
1983-88 various work stays in Lorient.
From 1982, work with children and young people from marginalized groups, incorporating dance, movement and aspects of physicality into educational practice.
1986 Graduated with a degree in social education. Work stays in Israel and Senegal.
Active in adult education since 1987. teaches Afro-contemporary dance and traditional dance, dance theater, improvisation and Latin American dances. Consultant for pedagogical training at various independent organizations.
1987-1995 Formation and development of the dance department in the youth and cultural center of the city of Ludwigshafen called TANZHAUS.
1987/88 Lecturer in dance pedagogy at the University of Applied Sciences in Ludwigshafen.
Formation of a traditional dance group “Pälzer Dansheisl” (partner group of the Cercle Brizeux, Lorient).
Since 1989 she has also worked as a freelance choreographer: formation of a dance theater group, various projects and choreographies; collaboration with various musicians and visual artists.
1992 Graduated in movement education from the Remscheid Academy.
Member of the German Federal Dance Association since 1992, member of the Society for Dance Research since 1993, freelance contributor to the trade journal “Tanzen”.
1994 Lecturer at the Mannheim Theater Academy for dance and body expression.
Graduated as a dance teacher from the Remscheid Academy.
