JANUARY_UNIKUM_WEB

TOPICAL
Folk Dance in KRISTIANSAND
BUL - Kristiansand - is a place in the city center where everybody
(even without any dance experience) is welcome to come to
learn traditional Norwegian folk dances and music. Since
1911 it has been a place for social dance events and live music
performances. Now, even though the weekly dance classes are
mostly focused on the Norwegian folk tradition, international
dance masterclasses happen there time after time. There is also
an opportunity to introduce dances from the other countries –
if any international participant would like to!
The oldest dances in the BUL classes and events are dated back
to 15th and 16th centuries, such as “Runddanse” (“circle dances”)
and “Turdanse” (“square dances”). Also common are the famous
valse and polka (from the late 18th century) and even “Songdans”
(singing while dancing). “Songdans” - is a unique tradition that
was brought back to Norway from the Faroe Islands already in the
beginning of the 20th century.
BUL - Kristiansand is a part of the Norwegian national organizations:
NU (Noregs Ungdomslag) and FolkOrg and is focused on the
preservation of the folk traditions.
happened when I moved here to Kristiansand!”
22
Natalia Bogdanova
Graphic Designer
Illustration: AdobeStock // Nadiinko
Photos: Karen Sophie Lund; Unikum // Natalia Bogdanova
Kjersti Mosvold
(musician, singer, dancer)
Kjersti Mosvold (musician,
singer, dancer): “This is a
very inclusive place, and all
internationals are welcome to
join! Also, we have all the age
groups starting from 18 and
up!”. Some people dance all their
lives and never plan to stop and
as the experienced dancer Siv
Anne Tollevik says: “People who
dance live longer!“ Siv started
folk dancing at the 5th grade and
never stopped since then: “I find
it fascinating that you can join the
dance community anywhere you
go in Norway. I recall when I just
moved to Volda back in the day – I
was instantly included into their
dance community, and the same
Photo: Private
Siv Anne Tollevik
(experienced dancer)
natural” -says Liv Arvidsson
(the program leader of 65 years
of experience!).
Special guest dance instructors
are invited often, and there is
live dance music every week.
Many events, local festivals
and special weekend courses
are organized throughout the
year that bring together other
dance groups from the whole
Agder region.
Apart from some other dance
places, for the folk dancing
in BUL you don’t need to
have a partner. There is no
importance in any sex/gender
distinction. The only possible
dance roles are “leader” and
‘follower,” which are also often
switched between participants
throughout the dance session.
“The teaching method is based
on more intuitive learning
rather than strict technicality,
so dancers can feel freer while
engaging into the process and
thus movements come more
Kjersti Mosvold: “There is also
a possibility to learn traditional
music so anyone with their
Liv Arvidsson
instrument is welcome to (the program leader )
join. We like to keep this oral
tradition, so we don’t use the note sheets.”
You can learn more about the Norwegian traditional music in the
very recent great documentary (released in November 2023) on
NRK - “Trollstemt” (no subscription needed!).
Dance instructor Synne Elisabeth Stray: “Folk dance community
Photo: Private