Elegant, graceful and rich in history. This is a polonaise – a traditional Polish dance that originated in the 18th century. It gained international recognition thanks to the work of the Polish composer Frederic Chopin.
And recently it was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
This is a performance of a polonaise by students of the University of Warsaw. Dancers have a clear idea of what gives the polonaise its special charm.
This slow dance first originated among the people. It was called “walking dance”. By the 18th century, polonaise had become popular among European nobility. It was traditionally performed at the beginning of balls.
Polonaise was very popular in Saxony, especially at the court in Dresden. He also inspired the outstanding composers of the time – Bach, Telemann and Mozart, and later Chopin and Tchaikovsky.
And he still opens the season at the Vienna Ball.
Under communism, polonaise dancing was banned in Polish schools. However, since the 60s the tradition has returned. Today it is performed at proms throughout the country.
