Balkan folk dance videos

Gnjilane is a dance from the Gnjilane region in Kosovo. This clip captured a precious moment at the beginning with Yehuda reviewing the steps.

From the Serbian dance workshop in 2004.

A Vlach dance from Serbia.

This is the Pembe that we learned from Vladica. There are many versions floating around, one in almost every city. Sasko swears that this dance (but not this version) is from his region in Macedonia, around Velles.

This clip of Pinosavka were filmed at our Serbian theme party in 2004. Note that it was filmed in the mirror, so the dance comes out backwards in the video. Pinosavka is danced starting to the right. Thanks to Yves Moreau for pointing it out.

Raca is a Vlach dance from eastern Serbia.

Ripna Maca is a Sop dance with versions from both Bulgaria and Serbia. The popular choreography, with the "slow-quick-quick" rhythm typical to the Cetvorno family of dances, was introduced in the 50s by Dick Crum.

We dance Setnja without the fast part. Seta is also danced with a four step grapevine that always progresses to the right.

A medley of five dances from Sumadia that we learned from the Kolo dancers when they were performing in Israel: Poskok, Ti Momo, Djurdevka, Igrale Se Delije, and Cacak.

Stara Vlajna is a fun Vlach dance from Serbia, that is easy enough for beginners.

This choreography by Ben Koopmanshap is one of our current favorites.

Vlasko Kolo is Vlach dance that was brought to Israel by the Kolo ensemble during their visit here in the early 1990s. The stamps in the dance are typical of Vlach dances. One popular explanation is that the stamping is meant to expel demons and bad spirits.