Romanian dance ethno-choreography: past trajectories and evolving approaches
Romanian dance ethno-choreography: past trajectories and evolving approaches

Author(s): Elizabeth Mellish
Subject(s): Anthropology, Social Sciences, Theatre, Dance, Performing Arts
Published by: Етнографски институт САНУ
Keywords: Romanian-dance; ensemble; ethno-choreography; choreographers; con- tinuity
Summary/Abstract: This paper investigates the history of Romanian ethno-choreography and its proponents by drawing from documentary sources and the author’s long-term field- work. It explores multi-layered notions of local cultural norms, choreographic authority and knowledge, presentational performances, and ‘modes of representation’. The first section outlines the history of Romanian ethno-choreography from the early twentieth century, when Romanian dances were included within staged art productions. It outlines the framework of the network of folk ensembles established after the Second World War that contracted between 1990 and 2005, then expanded following a renewed enthusiasm for local culture. The second section follows the choreographers and dance instructors placing these individuals according to their generations and investigates available op-tions for choreographic training both past and present. The third section examines the evolution of the structure of Romanian ensemble performances, and ethno-choreogra- phy styling, the role of the choreographer as mediators between the dance moves and the creation of their dance performances and various strategies used to construct choreographies. Finally, this paper looks forward at the notion of continuity and ethno-choreography in relation to evolving performance in Romania, the future of the gene, its mediators and their pupils, audiences, and funding bodies.

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