Folk dance

Estonians are famously known as a dancing nation, especially for their large dance festivals. Folk dance lessons offer a great pastime for your group, where you can learn characteristic moves of Estonian folk dance accompanied by traditional folk music. Time spent learning dances will be engaging, fun, and sociable!

Experienced Estonian dance and folklore instructor Mari will guide you through the key steps with the accompaniment of folk music.

The dance program can include: Folk dance (today more commonly called traditional dance); old social dances (Padespaan, Tuustep, Vengerka, Alexandra Waltz, Reilender, etc.); singing games for both adults and children; folklore-themed quizzes; and traditional children’s activities.

As a refreshing break, Kallaste Turismitalu provides cooling berry juice and ice water or peppermint tea.

It is also possible to arrange the course with live music — upon request, we can organize a musician to accompany your event! Accordion player and dance instructor will make your event lively and fun!

The curriculum can be combined with:

• Folk dance (today more commonly called traditional dance)
• Old social dances (Padespaan, Tuustep, Vengerka, Alexandra Waltz, Reilender, etc.)
• Singing games for adults and children
• Folklore quizzes
• Traditional children’s activities

Just let us know which dances and activities interest you!

This is the true Estonian thing, coming from our national culture and traditions — if you haven’t encountered it yet, now is the last chance. But if you have, sharing it with companions is the key to our cultural heritage.

I want to dance,
I want to waltz!
I don’t have a clever dancer
nor a skilled roller.
Let a dancer come from Tartu,
a twirler from Riga,
a spinner from Saint Petersburg!
Then I will be a clever dancer
and a skillful roller.
I dance — the cottage roars,
the six-cornered room resounds,
the wall bends seven fathoms,
and the roof eight fathoms,
the ridgepole ten fathoms.

(/ Estonian Folk Song. Kadrina. H II 10, 96 (98). 1889.)