Irish dance and music festival to take place in Seoul Sunday

Expats and Koreans participate at the 2010 Irish Dance and Music Festival in Insadong, Seoul. / Courtesy of Tom Coyner

By Conor O’Reilly

In 1994, Irish step dancing exploded onto the world stage. The soon to be internationally recognized phenomenon by the name of Riverdance was first performed as an interval act during the Eurovision song contest. At the time, Irish dancing’s fame was confined to Ireland and its communities around the world. Following Riverdance’s international success, this style of dance has been recognized for the skill and agility required which can only be gained after many years of practice.

Dance in Ireland has a long history that stretches back much further than Riverdance. While Irish dancing is often typified by this fast and skilful form of dance which requires rapid footwork and a straight, motionless posture, it often overshadows another style which is commonly known as céilí dancing.

This Sunday, céilí dancing returns to Seoul courtesy of the Irish Association of Korea’s (IAK) Seoul Céilí: Irish Dance and Music Festival. This will be the second festival in as many years, with last year’s céilí taking place in Insadong. This year the IAK have relocated their festival to the new D Cube Center at Sindorim Station in Seoul. The afternoon will include live demonstrations of Irish dancing, traditional music and an opportunity for everyone to try céilí dancing.

For those unfamiliar with céilí dancing, the dancing will be well supervised by volunteers, both Irish and Korean, who will help new comers get accustomed. Although, there will be plenty of people very familiar with the dances who will be only too happy to help show people the right dance steps.

Dancers don’t need to be experts or even athletic, as the steps are suitable for all levels of ability and all ages. Dances are carried out mostly in small groups of two or four which dance in unison with the music and together with the rest of the groups that have formed. The pace is relaxed, friendly and sociable.

For these reasons, céilí dancing is still very popular in Ireland with dances being held around the country at regular intervals in community centers and town halls. The dancing itself is very different from the performance orientated style which more famous across the world. Céilí originates from the Irish word le chéile, which means together, and this is what forms the basis of all Irish céilí dancing. All céilí dances are social occasions and the dances are only possible with a large group of people eager to dance and make new friends.

In addition to the group céilí dancing at Sunday’s event, there will also be a number of demonstrations by local Irish dancing enthusiasts who have formed their own groups and practice regularly in Seoul. The festival will also feature live performances of traditional Irish music from two bands. Bard, an all Korean four piece band, have had success performing in competitions and festivals in Ireland, while Banú are made up of Irish music enthusiasts who live and play in Korea regularly.

The IAK’s Seoul Céilí: Irish Dance and Music Festival will commence at 1pm and continue until 5pm. To get to the new D Cube Center take Seoul Metro line 1 or 2 to Sindorim Station and leave by either exit 1 or 2. The event will be held in the large outdoor auditorium directly in front of the station. Further details can be found at www.iak.co.kr, the IAK’s Facebook page, or by emailing iak.chair@gmail.com.

The writer is a committee member of the Irish Association of Korea (IAK).

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