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Slovenia is Calling You

We’ll start our week in the Balkans by spending a few moments with the Slovenian polka.

Why start here? Trio Sliak’s accordion-playing in this video of course! Slovenia is a small and densely forested Balkan nation you’ll find an extreme amount of natural beauty, such as stunning mountain ranges, breathtaking waterfalls, even luxurious sandy beaches. There is also a diversity of climates, with warm Mediterranean winds wafting up toward towering Alps, and a depth and diversity of historical architecture, from Gothic churches to castles from all ages. Want to do there…? As if the Slovenian polka wasn’t enough.

Polka Flash Mob

Today is not a bad day — no day is a bad day — for a POLKA FLASH MOB.

Nowadays you can find a place to dance the Czech/Polish dance known as Polka in most large cities around the Western world, and not just in traditional Polish beer halls. There many kinds of Polka in the U.S.: Polish-American, Slovenian-American, Czech-American, Mexican-American and the Papago Pima, a German/Arizonan/Native American polka in sometimes called “the chicken scratch.” Polka may not be quite as popular in Asia, but don’t tell that to the enthusiastic  dancers from this video’s Tokyo Polka Flash Mob.

Betty and Merlin

In class we danced the Czech and Polish polka, and WE LOVE IT.

While the quick, “half-step” polka actually originated in the Czech land of Bohemia and became popular when Viennese composers wrote polkas in the 19th century, the Poles adopted the dance and made it the centerpiece of many popular cultural celebrations. When Poles emigrated to countries like the U.S. they brought the dance with them. We’re so glad they did. So are our friends Betty and Merlin, who we meet in this video dancing the Polish polka on their 50th wedding anniversary.