Dances of Denmark

<p>'A circle whose centre is the devil himself</p><p>and whose participants are dancing towards</p><p>eternal death.' Thus did a medieval Danish</p><p>priest describe the Ring Dance and readers</p><p>of Hans Andersen will recognise this priestly</p><p>puritanism in the tale of the Red Shoes. A</p><p>17th century Bishop of Funen however had</p><p>more liberal views. Having married his two</p><p>sons at a double wedding he 'saw no harm</p><p>in himself dancing a turn with each of the</p><p>brides'. The natural light-heartedness of the</p><p>Dane is never long suppressed and today</p><p>there is a rich and living tradition of folk</p><p>dance costume and music.</p><p>Mr. Jeppessen was the chairman of the</p><p>Danish Association for the Encouragement</p><p>of Folk Dancing and Mr. Lorenzen was a</p><p>well-known folklorist who modestly describes</p><p>his wide researches as 'a hobby'. As in the</p><p>other books of the series they have chosen</p><p>four dances for more detailed description</p><p>and the book is illustrated with four costume</p><p>plates in full colour. </p>