Let's Dance

It's funny, the memories that are dredged up, prompted by certain stamp images. I just waxed nostalgic over an Eddystone Light postcard on another thread, and now this stamp brings out another dusty memory. Does anyone else look at this stamp and think of the game, "Barrell of Monkeys?"

Tedski

Sardana, Catalan national dance, on a 1963 Andorra (French P.O.) stamp. You should know that Andorra is, in fact, a part of Catalonia that, because of history, has remained independent. But, we share everything: language (Catalan), culture, folklore, heritage, traditions... except political status. Being Andorra an independent country.
"Sardane" is the French spelling for our Catalan "Sardana"; as by 1963 all Andorra French P.O. stamps were written in French and not in Catalan like nowadays.

Sardana is danced everywhere in Catalonia, from small villages to big cities. Just today, I've seen it in front of Barcelona's cathedral. It's nothing folkloric, but the feeling of our people.

Here is an image of a stamp depicting a traditional female dancer, designed by Pamela M. Prescott, engraved and printed by the Note Printing Branch, Reserve Bank of Australia, Melbourne, and issued for use in Papua & New Guinea on July 26, 1961, Scott No. 158, SG No. 30. This stamp is from the same set as the male dancer/drummer stamp I posted on March 8 in this thread.

- nethryk

Here is an image of an engraved airmail stamp depicting Oaxaca plume dancers, issued by Mexico in 1951, Scott No. C187, SG No. 848.

- nethryk

Midsummer's eve dance, designed by Finnish graphic artist Torsten Ekström, printed by lithogravure, and issued by Finland on May 18, 1981 (exactly 31 years ago today!), Scott No. 656, Facit No. 884.

- nethryk

Indonesia 1962
Ramayana Ballet

Here is an image of a stamp depicting a bas-relief entitled La Danse, which is located on the façade of the Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Paris, by French sculptor and painter Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929), designed and engraved by Jacques Combet, and issued by France on October 28, 1968, Scott No. 1206, Y&T No. 1569. The figure on the right represents American dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927), who is considered by many to be the creator of modern dance.

- nethryk

I want to show you the stamps of Russia in recent years, dedicated to classical ballet.
In 1992 published a series of ballet composer Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker"



In 1993 was released from the collection of ballets staged by choreographer Marius Petipa:
Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Raymonda



In 1994, a series of ballets by composer Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel, The Fiery bird (Zhar-ptica), The Snow Maiden



In 1995 came out with a set of ballets by choreographer Fokine: Scheherazade, The Fire-bird, Petrushka



In 1996 stamps were issued with the ballets Gorsky's: Don Quixote, Giselle, La Bayadere:

Two less elaborate ones from The Netherlands:








and Vienna Waltz from Austria

Traditional Korean dances, printed by lithogravure, and issued by (North) Korea on February 25, 1960.

- nethryk

Sword Dance, Scott No. 204.


Peasant Dance, Scott No. 206.

cultural dances :)

Balinese traditional dance: Tari Legong Kraton, printed by photogravure, and issued by Indonesia on July 30, 1986, Scott No. 1301, plus a link to a short demo for those of you who would like to learn some nifty new dance floor moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5509OIvyhM

- nethryk

Another Mexican example

Indian dancer, Michoacan SC#879

Here are images of the five stamps in a set depicting various Albanian folk dances, printed by lithogravure, and issued by Albania on February 21, 1979, Scott Nos. 1884-88. The fourth one looks somewhat dangerous!

- nethryk

Traditional Laotian dancers, designed by Chamnane Prisayane, engraved by Jean Pheulpin, and issued by Laos on October 1, 1959, Scott No. 56, SG No. 93. The musician is playing the khene, a Lao bamboo mouth organ.

- nethryk