Austria

Austria's Dances

Austria

Viennese Waltz — The fast, whirling ballroom dance of Vienna and the Strauss family — on Austria's intangible-heritage inventory since 2017.

Viennese Quadrille — The midnight quadrille, called in French, and the polonaise and debutant opening of every Viennese ball.

Polka — A lively 2/4 couple dance from Bohemia, made famous by Strauss and loved at every village Kirtag.

Ländler — The turning country dance in 3/4 time and ancestor of the waltz — with Steirischer and Innviertel Landler.

Schuhplattler — The Alpine courtship dance of Tyrol and Salzburg, with stamping, leaps and rhythmic slaps on thighs and shoes.

Zwiefacher — The puzzle dance whose tunes switch between 3/4 and 2/4 bars, so dancers switch between waltz and pivot steps.

Bandltanz — The ribbon dance around a maypole: dancers weave colourful ribbons into a plait — and then unweave it.

Perchtenlauf — Midwinter ritual of Salzburg: 'beautiful' and 'ugly' Perchten, giant headdresses and the stamping Tresterer dance.

Dürrnberg Sword Dance — The salt miners' chain dance of Hallein, linked by swords and recorded since 1586.