Folk dancing in Northwest Switzerland

Category:
Performing arts
  • Social practices
Canton:

Description

Starting in the Basel region, a renaissance spread through traditional folk dancing after the Second World War which sparked a shift in style across all of Swiss folk dance. The driving force behind the shift was Annelis Aenis-Bitterli (1917-1996) from Basel. Aenis choreographed a large number of new Swiss folk dances, including in particular the 74 dances of the Suite Bâloise, which are still performed by many dance groups across all of Switzerland today and which represent the basis of the Swiss folk dance tradition. Her dances are intentionally theatrical, aiming at making an impact on the audience. Her choreography is characterised by new steps inspired by foreign folk dances and quick changes in moves and holds. A lot of the melodies to which Aenis choreographed her dances come from the collection of Hanny Christen, also from the Basel area.

Image gallery

  • The Muttenz folk music group singing and dancing in May on Muttenz village square, 2011 © Gruppa da costums da Muttenz
  • Frenkendorf Girls’ Home annual celebration, 1950 © Theodor Strübin/Museum.BL, Liestal
  • Folk dancing at St Jacob’s celebrations, Basel, 1944 © Theodor Strübin/Museum.BL, Liestal
  • May singing and ribbon dancing in Liestal, 1953 © Theodor Strübin/Museum.BL, Liestal
  • The Muttenz folk music group singing and dancing in May on Muttenz village square, 2011 © Gruppa da costums da Muttenz
  • Frenkendorf Girls’ Home annual celebration, 1950 © Theodor Strübin/Museum.BL, Liestal
  • Folk dancing at St Jacob’s celebrations, Basel, 1944 © Theodor Strübin/Museum.BL, Liestal
  • May singing and ribbon dancing in Liestal, 1953 © Theodor Strübin/Museum.BL, Liestal

Video

A Basel folk music group dancing around the maypole, weaving their ribbons into a pattern © Museum.BL, Liestal

References and documentation

Publications

  • Marianne Forster: Annelis Aenis-Bitterli zum Gedenken. In: Tanz und Gymnastik no. 3, vol. 52. Zürich, 1996, p. 22-23

  • Johannes Schmid Kunz: Volkstanz heute. In: Rückkehr in die Gegenwart, Volkskultur in der Schweiz. Ed. Thomas Antonietti, Bruno Meier, Katrin Rieder. Baden, 2008, p. 104-107

  • Schweizerische Trachtenvereinigung (Ed.): Volkstänze der Schweiz. Stettlen, 1989

  • Volkstänze der Schweiz. Gesammelt und beschrieben von Louise Witzig. Musiksätze von Alfred Stern. Zürich, 1941-1950

  • Richard Wolfram: Die Volkstänze der Schweiz». In: Beiträge zur Volksmusik in Vorarlberg und im Bodenseeraum. Ed. Walter Deutsch und Erich Schneider. Wien, p. 185-211

Documentation