Chain Dance in Europe

A Circle Dance or "Horo" is a dance that has originated in the Balkans or part of the South Eastern Europe. The Balkan countries are:

1. Albania
2. Bosnia
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia
5. Greece
6. Macedonia
7. Montenegro
8. Romania
9. Turkey

The celebration is performed in different social events such as weddings, birthdays and important Holidays. Horo or Hora/Ora is performed without a partner, anybody can join the chain by holding on the last person's hand immediately following the movement of the steps while the group moves in circles. For example, in Greece the dance step is a little bit complicated as it includes squatting in crossed legs with a dozen of different steps, moving inside the circle and going back in position and a few 360 degree turns (including a few breaking of plates). In some countries like Serbia, the steps can be learned in less than 10 minutes, even a complete stranger or foreigner can join any moment as the steps are simple. The only difference in a Serbian Circle dance is that the music will go faster when each round is completed, while the music accelerates the steps and the group should dance faster and should cope up with the rhythm without a mistake. The fun starts when the dancers can't catch up and just give up, leaving the best dancer with the highest stamina feel like a winner.

This traditional dance brings relaxation, joy and unity of families and friends. Here is an example video of the colorful and envious tradition they have in many years. Dancers in this video are not professionals and just normal European citizens.