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International relationships
For more than 25 years we have had close
relations with folkdancers in Austria, Norway, and Sweden.
When we visit each other the guests are accommodated in
private homes and these visits have led to many new and
lasting friendships.
On these tours we participate in tattoos
and festivals, but moreover we have a good time together,
where we also practice the local dances and tunes and have
a great time learning from each other.
When we get the opportunity we also
travel to other countries than the above mentioned. 2006 we visited Oregon in the USA.
The
Ballerup Folkdance Association
The Folkdance Association was founded in
1966. In 1967 we were given the possibility to participate
in the restoration of an old farmstead in the village of
Pederstrup. The Folkdance Association was from then situated
in this authentic rural environment in which to practise our
passion for folkdancing and we share the lovely premises
with the Faroe Island Association. We occupy the main
farmhouse with adjacent farmbuildings situated in the middle
of a regional live museum of Pederstrup.
This regional museum consists of many
restored old buildings and as such forms an ideal
environment for folkdancing. During the season we practice
in the big barn and have our big events here. We also have
to our disposal the farmhouse in which we have meetings and
have our dressmaking workshop on the first floor. Our
musicians too, use the farmhouse for their
practice-sessions.
The name of the farm is “Ryttergården”
and originates from 1767.
Directly translated the name means
“Rider’s farm”. In former times, villages were obliged to
muster horses and riders to the royal cavalry.
Folkdancing
The main activity is of cause folkdancing
and we practice every Monday and Thursday between 8 p.m. and
10 p.m. and also have practicesessions for children on
Monday afternoons. Our proficient musicians play at these
sessions and we are coached by professional instructors. Our
season starts in September and ends in April.
When we dance in front of the public, we
dress in our handmade folkdress attire. These are exact
copies of the old original ones all made in our own
dressmaker workshop by the dancers themselves.
Our practice sessions are held in an
atmosphere of laughter and good humour and give us a good
“work-out”. But don’t misunderstand this, we take our
dancing very seriously.
Activities during the season
The folkdancing does not stand alone.
During the season we have many activities both in-doors and
out-doors in the village of Pederstrup.
Twice a year we have a dance in the
former main building of the farm and 4 or 5 times we have
matinées with dancing and singing songs from the Danish
songbook. And of cause a good cup of coffee and home-made
cake.
March
In March we have our general meeting
where we look back on the year that has passed and plan for
the coming season.
April
On the first Saturday in April we have a
big end-of-season dance. At this event we all first dine
together with family and friends. Then we show what we have
learnt during the season wearing our folkdress attire. After
this formal part of the evening we all end up dancing till
late.
August
This year (2006) on August 12, we
celebrate our 40 th. Anniversary. We will have a reception
in Pederstrup in the afternoon and a big dance in the
evening for all the members.
During summer we have a picnic, which is
quite a big do. We travel together in busses to a cultural
sight (museum or exhibition) and after a bit of sightseeing
we will continue to the picnicspot for lunch.
Events
in Pederstrup
Throughout the year we participate in a
number of events held in the village of Pederstrup.
February
In February we have ”fastelavn” an old
heathen feast, which in its modern version, the children
dress in fancy-dress costumes and they hit a suspended
fish-barrel full of sweets with bats (in heathen times they
put a cat inside) and the one who knocks down the last piece
of the barrel becomes queen/king for a day and is given a
crown and a prize. Lots of fun for everybody. The small
toddlers are priceless in their outfits. Afterwards there is
of cause coffee and the special fastelavns pastry for the
grown-ups and softdrinks and pastry for the children.
May
In May we have a Maypole feast with
dancing around the Maypole and folkdancing out in the open
behind the main building and weather permitting, we picnic
on the lawn with coffee, cake and refreshments.
June
On the 23 rd. of June we celebrate “Sct.
Hans Evening”, which is our midsummer celebration. We have a
local dignitary to deliver a speech and at sunset (app. 10
p.m.) a big bonfire is lit as tradition dictates and we sing
our traditional midsummer song.
This evening is no longer arranged by the folkdancers.
September
One of the old farms in the village
“Grantoftegård” is a commercial driven ecological farm and
once a year, during summer, they have a very well attended
Ecological-Promotion-Day. At this event we demonstrate
folkdancing to the public and also let the public have a go
under our supervision.
December
The first Sunday in December we have a
very popular Christmas fate/bazaar. Our folkdancers and
musicians perform in the big barn, which has been
beautifully decorated. In the barn we have stalls selling
Christmas decorations and a tombola with prizes all handmade
by the lady members. No Christmas gathering without coffee
and the pastry of the season (æbleskiver) and refreshments.
A very cheerful event for the entire family.
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