Polska (dance)

The polska (Swedish plural polskor) is a fun family of music and dance styles shared by many Nordic countries. In Denmark it is called polsk, while in Estonia, Sweden, and Finland it is known as polka or polska. In Norway, people dance to several names for this style, including pols, rundom, springleik, and springar.

The polska is most often a partner dance performed in ³₄ time, a rhythm that gives it a lively and swinging feel. But there are also versions in ²₄ time and in other rhythms called compound meters, making the dance very flexible and enjoyable for many people.

Evolution

The polska dance likely began with the influence of the Polish court in the 17th century across northern countries. Some believe it came from older Nordic songs and dances that mixed with new styles as court dances spread to everyday people.

The polska was probably inspired by dances like the polonaise or the ²₄ time minuet. Over time, these dances changed from group dances to dances for couples, and the music shifted from ⁴₄ time to ³_{4 time. In Norway, Sweden, and Finnish-speaking Finland, the polska became very popular, though each area developed its own versions.}

Norway

In Norway, there are many traditional dances still enjoyed today in different areas. One common type is called pols. This dance is usually accompanied by music played on fiddles or violins. The dancers follow a set pattern, moving in steps that match the music. These dances are popular in eastern Norway and near the mountains that border Sweden.

Another popular dance in Norway is the springdans or springar. This dance is often performed in western Norway and around the fjord areas. The music for this dance is played on a special kind of fiddle called the hardingfele. The steps in this dance are more free and change based on what the male dancer leads. Couples dance close together and move in many different ways, similar to some modern dances but at a slower pace. This dance is still enjoyed in places like Telemark, Valdres, and Hallingdal.

Sweden

In Sweden, the polska music tradition has been passed down through families and neighbors for hundreds of years. Even though styles have changed over time, the roots of this tradition go back a long way. During the 19th century, many people traveled around Sweden writing down and studying these tunes.

However, the polska dance tradition faced big changes during Sweden's industrialization in the early 1900s, and most of it was lost. What we know today comes from research done in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, where older dancers shared their memories.

Swedish polska dancing had many different styles. One style, played with quick beats, was common in southern Sweden and along the eastern Baltic coast. Dances in Småland often involved couples staying in one spot and doing intricate moves. Further north, couples would move around the room.

Another style, with steady beats, is found all over Sweden, especially in Dalarna, where each small community had its own way of dancing. Dances often included couples turning and then taking a resting step.

The third style, using triplets, is common in western Sweden near the border with Norway, like in Värmland, Jämtland, and Härjedalen. These dances show influences from both Sweden and Norway.

A typical Swedish polska tune has a special structure with repeated parts, but there are also longer tunes with more sections. The way the beats are stressed can vary a lot, even among musicians from the same area.