The roots of June square dancing date back to European ballroom dancing, which came to Brazil through the Portuguese court in the early 19th century.
The June square dance, introduced by the Portuguese court in the 19th century and danced at the “Festas Juninas,” was made official this Monday as a manifestation of Brazilian national culture, the Brazilian government indicated.
The decision was signed by the Brazilian president, Lula da Silva, and the Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, and published in the Official Gazette of the Union.
The roots of June square dancing date back to European ballroom dancing, which came to Brazil through the Portuguese court in the early 19th century.
The gang gained ground among the people and began to incorporate national cultural, religious and folkloric elements. In this adaptation process, the number of dance couples increased, the French steps and rhythms were abandoned and, over time, the songs and the country wedding, which precedes the dance, were incorporated,” the Brazilian government detailed in a statement.
This style of dance is practiced throughout the country during the so-called “Festas Juninas”, the Popular Saints also brought by the Portuguese, to celebrate Saints António, João and Pedro in the month of June.
The gangs grew and began to acquire social, economic and tourist importance for several Brazilian citiesmainly in the Northeast region of Brazil.
“This year, on June 13, in Campina Grande, Paraíba, a city famous for promoting [durante o mês de junho] One of the largest São João in Brazil, the record for the largest June party in the country was set once again. The dance brought together 1,280 couples and won the tenth consecutive title of largest Brazilian June party,” the Brazilian government recalled.
Source: Observadora
