Workshop on Traditional Dances from Central and Southern Italy

Viola Centi

Journey through the dances of the roots | Workshop of traditional dances of Central and Southern Italy

Workshop Description:
The aim is to illustrate some of the most lively and significant dances of the popular tradition of Central and Southern Italy (pizziche, tammurriate, tarantella and saltarelli), both from a theoretical point of view (historical information on the origin of the dances and their geographical diffusion) and from a practical point of view, with the technical learning of the steps and their codes. The dances are those seen and experienced in the town squares, in the courtyards, in the alleys, on the occasions of popular festivals. Celebrations that still today constitute a reason for collective aggregation and a means of liberation from physical and psychological tensions accumulated in everyday life. And so dance, characterized by many ritual aspects, becomes the most immediate and expressive means to manifest courtship, challenge, strength, love, constituting in some way a synthesis of our expression.
Furthermore, the learning and use of castanets (or castagnole depending on the geographical area) is foreseen, a typical instrument used by dancers to accompany some traditional dances.