In addition to music and oral heritage, the Estonian Folklore Archives preserve a significant body of materials pertaining to dance.
In contrast to narratives and music, dance is considerably more challenging to document and describe — whereas texts and musical notation tend to be interpreted consistently, the representation of complex movements can often lead to ambiguity.
Dance is among the oldest forms of human expression and entertainment, encompassing a synthesis of music, physical movement, and social interaction.
Beyond its recreational function, dance has historically held ritualistic and magical significance. In contemporary society, it is primarily regarded as a form of leisure and artistic expression, offering both physical enjoyment and the opportunity for communal engagement.
This exhibition explores the various contexts and modalities of dance, both in historical settings and in the present day.