The Hungarian folkdance revival movement began in the 1970's as the "Dance-House Movement" in Hungary with a new generation of folk culture enthusiasts and artists who sought to return to a more authentic and original Hungarian traditional folkmusic and folkdance, in contrast with the more artificial, theatrical, and foreign-influenced style imposed by the communist regime under the Soviet occupation. This Hungarian folkdance revival movement was in sharp contrast to the anti-Hungarian cultural policy of the communist regime which sought to weaken and destroy the traditional Hungarian national identity and values. The Hungarian folkdance revival movement re-awakened an interest in the Hungarian cultural identity, and by re-discovering and popularizing the folk culture of the ethnic Hungarian communities oppressed under foreign rule in the neighbouring countries, it also re-opened a sensitive and taboo question for the communist regime which sought to silence this issue.
This Hungarian folkdance revival movement has gained tremendous popularity in Hungary and in Hungarian communities throughout the world. In Hungarian communities outside of Hungary, Hungarian folkdance groups strive preserve the national cultural traditions, allowing younger generations born outside Hungary and the general public to familiarize themselves with Hungary's cultural heritage. Hungarian folk culture has a great diversity of music, dances and costumes. This folk culture is part of a rich living tradition as one can still see them in their original form and environment in Hungarian villages throughout the Carpathian Basin, where the Hungarians are the largest nation, as well as the indigenous ethnic group.
The Hungarian Folkdance Chamber Group of Ottawa has continued the work of preserving the living cultural heritage of Hungary by providing Hungarian folkdance instruction, performances, and folk craft displays throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The founding members of the Hungarian Folkdance Chamber Group have been performing since 1987, participating in the preservation of Hungarian cultural traditions and contributing to the rich multicultural environment of Canada. The Chamber Group has performed at multicultural events and Hungarian folkdance festivals throughout the National Capital Region as well as in the neighbouring cities. The Hungarian Folkdance Chamber Group has also been a major participant and contributor to events held at the Hungarian Community Centre of Ottawa. Click on the Hungarian Community Centre Events link at the bottom of this page to see these events.
