Dances of Denmark

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