Our 27th International Folk Dance Festival ran from July 17th - 20th 2025
Although the weather was not always cooperative, the festival was a success,
and enjoyable to visitors and public.
And to us as well!
The Public Performances were:
Thursday 17th July: EDINBURGH, Gala Opening
Performance + Ceilidh 7.30pm
Mary Erskine School Hall, Ravelston Dykes
Scotland, France & Hungary were dancing at this indoor event.
Friday 18th July: EDINBURGH, Performance 2.30-4pm
The Scottish Parliament*
After a parade down the Royal Mile, Scotland, France & Hungary performed outside the Scottish Parliament.
Saturday 19th July: EDINBURGH,Performance 2.30-4pm
St Andrews Square*
Scotland, France & Hungary were to be performing at St Andrews square...
but rain forced us to use the Wet Weather Venue in the Edinburgh New Town Church, George Street
Sunday 20th July: STIRLING CASTLE 1.30-3.30pm
Queen Anne Gardens
Scotland, France & Hungary performed. Some rain, but some sunshine as well!
General Information
| The Hosting groups: | |
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The Edinburgh University New Scotland Country Dance Society (EUNSCDS or New Scotland to its friends)
was formed in 1947 by students at the University of Edinburgh as the New Scotland Society
to promote the revived interest in the culture of Scotland. It soon became clear that what most members were interested in was the dancing, so in 1951 it was renamed the New Scotland Country Dance Society. Its fortunes and numbers have waxed and waned over the years, but it has remained an active group ever since and many partnerships and life-long friendships have been formed there (plenty of whom you can meet among the Dunedin members at the Festival). The emphasis has always been on Scottish dancing, particularly Scottish Country and Highland dancing, and the members frequently perform in and around Edinburgh and travel to competitions across the country. Not just in Scotland, either - within the first decade, New Scotland members were travelling to perform abroad, and this tradition, which spurred the formation of Dunedin Dancers, has continued to this day. More recently several members joined Dunedin on our dance trips abroad. | |
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Dunedin Dancers was formed by members of New Scotland in 1970 who wanted to return the favour to
groups they had visited at Folk Festivals around Europe. The first Dunedin Festival was held in 1971, and it has been held every two years since (with the exception of 2021 which was cancelled by Covid), hosting two to three visiting groups each time. 2025 is the 27th Dunedin Folk Dance Festival. There is more to Dunedin than the Festival, though. Members enjoy all forms of Scottish dancing - predominantly Scottish Country dancing, but also Ceilidh dancing, Highland and Scottish Step. We get together to dance socially every Wednesday evening, to a mixture of live music and CDs, and we run several social dances through the year as well as the Dunedin Assembly - our annual formal ball. While many members are only interested in dancing socially - and Scottish Country dancing is primarily a social dance form - there are also a core who like to perform to a greater or lesser extent, as you will see, and we number talented musicians in our ranks, who this year are led by member Angharad Kenway. We also still travel to Festivals abroad - our most recent trip was this year to the International Folk Festival of Montana, in Bulgaria. | |
Our guests in 2025: | |
| Les Pierrots de la Vallee (Normandy, France) Created in 1987 in Garennes Sur Eure, a small village located on the border of Yvelines and Eure et Loir, the Folkloric group "Les Pierrots de la Vallée" aims to keep Norman popular traditions alive. Due to its proximity to the capital, the Eure Valley was influenced by Parisian fashion from an early age. "Les Pierrots de la Vallée" is the only group in Normandy to wear the "déshabillé" (women's cotton costume). The headdress called "Pierrot" gave the group its name. As for the men, they wear frock coats and top hats. Made up of a majority of young people, the dances practiced throughout Normandy take on a lively rhythm which makes them more cheerful and more enjoyable for both the dancers and the spectators. Apart from sewing for the maintenance and reshaping of the 7 costumes, the group makes a point of passing on the learning of bobbin lace, the jewel of the town of Bayeux. The primary goal of the association being to make its folklore known as widely as possible, what could be better than exchanges? This is how the Garennes Sur Eure International Folklore Festival was born in 1991 and has been held every two years ever since. Dunedin Dancers attended this festival in July 2024! |
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| Csata Táncegyüttes (Isaszeg, near Budapest, Hungary) The Csata Táncegyüttes began its journey of conquest in 1968. It took its name in memory of the Battle of Isaszeg in 1848-49, and has been a defining figure in the cultural, public education and artistic life of the city of Isaszeg ever since. The aim of the ensemble is to present and introduce the dances, folk songs and traditions of the Carpathian Basin, while respectfully preserving the values of the past. We create modern performances that combine elements of Hungarian folk dance with current artistic trends. Our main mission is to present the dances and traditions of Isaszeg so that younger generations can learn about them and pass them on. For us, folk dance is not only a form of movement, but also a lifestyle, in which community, respect for traditions and artistic expression all play an equally important role. At the festival we would like to present the beauty and richness of Hungarian folk dance so that the participants can get closer to the culture of Hungary and gain insight into its past, present and future. Artistic Director: Dániel Stéger Artistic Assistant: Viktória Stéger-Dobi |
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Thanks for Funding!
| Dunedin Dancers is an amateur group financed mainly through money raised from our own membership,
from the income of our demonstration dancing, and a few donations from well wishers. | ||
| We would be very grateful if you would support or continue to support our festival by making a donation online using a credit or debit card via PayPal. | ||