I wanted to write a little sentimental post as going to my country always makes me feel a bit sentimental; also, this is a bit of a follow-up, 6 months later on ‘Permission to dance‘, my post from February. Some people weirdly like it, I am not sure why (it is very angsty).
So I am going to my first international dance festival!
In Katowice.
I have been joking with my friends that Katowice is basically the Polish equivalent of Birmingham.
It has developed quite nicely in the last decade, similar to many other cities in Poland.
This is how I remember Katowice from my childhood:
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Well, it might have a bit of a post-socialist vibe that some people can enjoy, but you wouldn’t call it your dream holiday destination.
Currently, it looks more like this:
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Still, not my favourite place in Poland, but I generally love Silesia.
I am originally from Lower Silesia, my favourite place in the world. When I think about summer in Lower Silesia, all I see in front of my eyes is:
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Someone called this photo ‘Burning rape fields’, which sounds much better in Polish than English.
So I am going to Katowice to dance, eat, and, in general, try to relax. It won’t be easy as I have had quite a stressful time at work.
However, I hope that at least during these long dancing festival nights, I can enjoy myself.
In ‘Permission to dance‘ I expressed a lot of hesitations regarding finding myself in the dancing community and feeling like I do it to escape from my problems.
Six months have passed, and I definitely have a much more positive view of this situation.
I have been dancing still quite a lot, but I was probably way more selective regarding the places I go to. I normally only go dancing when dear friends accompany me, or I really want to attend the event (especially in the summer, who doesn’t love dancing outdoors), and sometimes because I am already out and dressed nicely for something else, so why the heck not (I live far from central London so if I am already there I need to use my time properly).
I find a lot of pleasure in getting even a bit better (though I feel I should put way more work into my skills). I have found teachers that I really like and admire, and some of them are just the sweetest, most welcoming people.
I have also strengthened some relationships with my dancing friends, and I can’t be grateful enough for that.
I am only worried that if I organise a birthday party this December, how the heck am I going to afford a venue that can fit all of these lovely dancers (that’s a good problem to have, though).
I am going to this first big festival with the mindset that I want to learn as much as possible and connect with some nice dancers from other countries. Maybe Polish ones? That would be immensely cool.
I normally write mainly to move people’s hearts, and sometimes there is a bit of too much emotion or exaggeration in my writing, but this time it is just an honest expression of gratitude for all the joy I found in partner dancing.
In the last six months, at times, I have had too much fun. Again, a good problem to have. It is mostly a really wholesome, soul-nourishing type of fun.
I still prefer belly dancing, though, and I plan to perform this year – on the 2nd of December, with the school I have danced for around six years.
With this in mind, I better finish packing!
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Dance Me To The End Of Love Leonard Cohen
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic ’til I’m gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
~~~~~(I love this song so much)~~~~~~
