Just dance!

Having spent a whole week with people from all over the world at the Herräng Dance Camp, I am stuck in "English mode" so this post will just have to be in English. The Herräng Dance Camp is really one of a kind. Hundreds of people transform the little village of Herräng during five weeks in summer, dancing 24 hours a day. Everywhere you go there is music, people chatting, someone practicing tap dancing. There are lessons going on, social dancing, cultural activities, and the creativity is just never ending.

Dancing does bring people together, that is what dancing IS. But Herräng Dace Camp offers more than that. There is caring, loving and friendliness. The kind of atmosphere where no idea is too crazy to try, where everyone can and is expected to participate and where even people who have never been on stage dare to sing a song at the weekly cabaret with the microphone rattling against their chin, while people sing along and cheer their courage.

It is also an event which takes care of it's own tradition, welcoming the people who created the lindy hop in the early 20th century. Dawn Hampton for example, who has been dancing since her father put her on the dance floor at the age of three telling her to "do something". Today she is 83 years old and with some small movements and a fantastic face she alone dances better than anyone of the participants at the camp. She says "don't be afraid", she says "get your show on the road". She says, whenever you have troubles, "dance!".