Sardana, a traditional Catalan dance

If you have ever stumbled upon a group of people dancing in circles in Barcelona, it is possible that you were observing the Sardana.

The Sardana is a style of dancing that is said to have originated around the sixteenth century, becoming a very popular dance in the areas of Garrotxa, Empordà and Roselló in the nineteenth-century, when the modern Sardana choreography was developed.

The Sardana is part of Catalonia’s festivities heritage catalogue, having been declared in 2010 as a festivity of national interest.

Initially, the Sardana dance was performed to the sound of only one instrument, but today the Sardana music is performed by a cobla, a band with 10 wind instruments, double bass and a small drum, played by a total of 11 musicians. Some of the instruments used are the tamborí, the tenora, the tible, the fiscorns, the trumpets, a double bass and a trombone.

The Sardana is a valued part of the Catalan culture, being one of the many activities that was banned by Spanish dictator Franco in the 40s, due to his dislike of the Catalan, who he considered a threat.

Related articles: Feel the rhythm: dance classes in Barcelona

Today, the Saradana is danced with pride, in very public places, so it can be appreciated by all.

To dance the Sardana, people give hands, joining in a circle. Holding each other’s hands, the dancers raise their arms, following the leader’s indications for movements and timing. The greatest challenge of Sardana dancing, is getting the steps right, since most of the choreography happens from the waist down.

It would be wise to observe the dance for a while or even practice it at home, before joining a Sardana circle. The dance steps are so precise, that if one person takes a wrong step, it can break the rhythm for the entire circle!

People of all ages and any sex can dance the Sardana, as long as they know how to do it. When a Sardana circle starts becoming too big, the circle breaks and smaller circles start being formed.

 If you are confident that you can dance the Sardana properly, don’t be shy to join a group that is already in motion. But if you feel that you haven’t yet learned the choreography, try practicing with the help of this tutorial.

The Sardana is danced in almost any of the official Catalan celebrations, particularly Sant Joan, which takes place in June, and La Mercé celebrations, which happen in September.