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Danish
Days People |
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Danish
Dancers |
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Danish
dancing has a long history in Viborg. It is a tradition that still lives
today among the children of the area. Our Savior's Lutheran Church is one
place where it is still active. The following people help to make Danish
dancing part of our community's heritage. |
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Dotty Larsen
Dotty Larsen has been
involved with Danish Dancing since she was a young girl. Danish Dancing is
a significant part of the cultural heritage of Our Savior’s Lutheran.
The congregation comes out of the N.F.S. Grundtvig tradition of Danish
Lutheranism, which stressed celebration of Danish cultural
heritage. During the years of the Depression, about thirty children
were involved in monthly meetings with Mrs. Harris Jespersen, the wife of
the pastor. Mrs. Jespersen played piano for the dancers; she was also
active with an adult group that danced for various events. In addition,
children danced during Bible School, which in those days lasted two weeks.
Through the years of World War II, the young people would dance in the
Parish Hall on Saturday night. Each person would have an entry ticket.
This provided a healthy social outlet for the young people during a time
when money and resources were in short supply.
Asta Ibsen, wife of
Pastor Harold Ibsen played piano from 1948 until 1960. Dotty started playing
piano for the Bible School Danish Dancing when her grandchildren were small.
She is still playing for Bible school all these years later, and enjoys
helping the children learn the rhythm, timing, and various steps. She has
the songs memorized, and plays them by ear. She has recorded the music on
a tape recorder so that the children may dance in settings other than the
Parish Hall. In particular, the children dance during Danish Days and
Danish related events. The generations of children who have been enriched
by the heritage of Danish dancing owe much to Dotty’s faithful service
in maintaining this tradition. |
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Laura Stevens
Laura Stevens began Danish Dancing when she was around three years old at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Viborg. As with many young people, Laura was taught dancing at Vacation Bible
School. The dancing was the part of the day she looked forward to the
most.
Laura’s Grandmother, Berniece Hansen, made her childhood Danish costumes, and children are still using them today. Since dancing was her favorite part of Bible School, Laura wanted to pass on to others what she had found so meaningful.
Laura began teaching Danish Dancing in 1990, and has continued to do so. She says that the hardest part of teaching the dancing is the timing along with the footwork. The most enjoyable part is watching the children learn, and then watching the finished product as the children perform for their parents and family. Laura also likes the feeling of handing on a tradition that has been passed from generation to generation. She likes the fact that the experience the children have in Bible School is a memory they will carry with them their whole lives.
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Some of
the children who danced in 2006 |
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