Comments on: Bummed? Then dance http://www.leftoutfront.com/2007/bummed-then-dance/ Connecting the dots of political news stories that whip me into a screaming frenzy, while fighting the rise of extremism and reinforcing the necessity of community. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:35:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Jenni http://www.leftoutfront.com/2007/bummed-then-dance/#comment-1964 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 22:23:49 +0000 http://www.leftoutfront.com/2007/bummed-then-dance/#comment-1964 Excellent post -- I love the creativity I see at many of the anti-war and other events. I can also say that the activist activity that makes me the happiest and keeps me going when all looks bleak is radical cheerleading. With all that is so serious, it's wonderful to have a creative and joyful outlet. Excellent post — I love the creativity I see at many of the anti-war and other events.

I can also say that the activist activity that makes me the happiest and keeps me going when all looks bleak is radical cheerleading. With all that is so serious, it’s wonderful to have a creative and joyful outlet.

]]> by: Marie http://www.leftoutfront.com/2007/bummed-then-dance/#comment-1683 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:14:09 +0000 http://www.leftoutfront.com/2007/bummed-then-dance/#comment-1683 I meant to write that I HAVEN'T yet read the book! I meant to write that I HAVEN’T yet read the book!

]]> by: Marie http://www.leftoutfront.com/2007/bummed-then-dance/#comment-1682 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:12:38 +0000 http://www.leftoutfront.com/2007/bummed-then-dance/#comment-1682 I have yet read Barbara E.'s book, although it's at the top of my list to pick up and read. We SO agree with this, and I can give you an interesting story about how this works. In Italy, Mussolini encouraged the creation and growth of formal "folk dance" groups in each town, in each province, and in each region of Italy. These groups were promoted as being a way to display their pride for their traditions. Books were printed with pictures of costumes and dance descriptions for these groups to follow. As a result, many towns have totally lost their true traditions. He knew that if he had the people meeting under his guidelines and doing what he wanted them to do, then they wouldn't be meeting to foment rebellion. And as a side-effect, it turned what had been a participatory event into a spectator event, since not everyone could dance with the formal group. Fortunately, Italians are pretty stubborn people, and many small towns were able to keep their traditions alive, so to this day, they "dance in the streets" of the piazzas. What's ironic about this, however, is that so many Italian groups around the world continue this charade that was so strongly promoted by Mussolini as being a way to pass on their tradition, when there is nothing traditional about it. The Soviets did just as good a job in Eastern Europe. We've all seen the famous Russian Folk Dance troupes that have toured the world. When folk music went through its revival phase in Italy back in the '60s and '70s, it was brought about my highly progressive, leftist people. To this day, most of the people involved in the folk music world in Italy tend to be progressives, who now add verses to their songs about Bush and Berlusconi. I have yet read Barbara E.’s book, although it’s at the top of my list to pick up and read. We SO agree with this, and I can give you an interesting story about how this works. In Italy, Mussolini encouraged the creation and growth of formal “folk dance” groups in each town, in each province, and in each region of Italy. These groups were promoted as being a way to display their pride for their traditions. Books were printed with pictures of costumes and dance descriptions for these groups to follow. As a result, many towns have totally lost their true traditions. He knew that if he had the people meeting under his guidelines and doing what he wanted them to do, then they wouldn’t be meeting to foment rebellion. And as a side-effect, it turned what had been a participatory event into a spectator event, since not everyone could dance with the formal group.

Fortunately, Italians are pretty stubborn people, and many small towns were able to keep their traditions alive, so to this day, they “dance in the streets” of the piazzas.

What’s ironic about this, however, is that so many Italian groups around the world continue this charade that was so strongly promoted by Mussolini as being a way to pass on their tradition, when there is nothing traditional about it.

The Soviets did just as good a job in Eastern Europe. We’ve all seen the famous Russian Folk Dance troupes that have toured the world.

When folk music went through its revival phase in Italy back in the ’60s and ’70s, it was brought about my highly progressive, leftist people. To this day, most of the people involved in the folk music world in Italy tend to be progressives, who now add verses to their songs about Bush and Berlusconi.

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