SCD Weekend on the island of Hvar, Croatia 9-11 May 2024

Hvar Scottish Country Dancers is, as far as we know, the only SCD group in Croatia. We started in 2019 as a way for us to continue dancing and to bring a fun new winter activity to the island. We asked online if any RSCDS teachers would consider coming over to help us and received a warm response, most particularly from Pia Walker and Zsófia József. And then came covid. A few of us joined Zsofi’s online dance group, meeting more new dancing friends around the world, eventually returning to local dancing when it was safe.

2024 marks the Hvar Scottish Country Dancers’ 3rd year. The special 3 day event with ceilidhs, workshops and a social dance was a great finale to our season. RSCDS-certified teacher Zsófia József and her husband, accordionist Phill Jones came from Scotland, while other experienced dancers joined us from Italy, Portugal, the United States and, of course Scotland. Prior to the event, we gave a dance demonstration in the market square, and handed out flyers.

Our opening ceilidh was held on the outdoor terrace of a waterfront restaurant, where passersby could hear the music and see the fun being had! Zsofi had a great selection of easy dances for us, while Phill’s lively music had many wanting to join in! One group of mothers and daughters from Czechia had such a great time that they danced all evening! We were delighted to find that we had 34 dancers on the floor at one time, from a total of 15 countries! At the breaks we could sit and chat with old and new friends and afterwards we had dinner together.

At the Friday morning workshop we had a mixture of experienced and brand new dancers who had loved what they had seen the previous night. This was excellent, as Zsofi pitched her teaching between the basic steps for newbies and some advanced techniques for the rest of us. Dances included some of our group favourites (Crabbit Shona, De’il Amang the Tailors, Sausage Machine) and a couple on our wish list (Pelorus Jack and Hope Little’s Strathspey). 

Our Friday evening ceilidh was quite the international cultural event. We enjoyed special performances from Hungarian cellist Csillag Odór, while Boris Belec and friends from the local Dance School Tarameja demonstrated (and taught us) a Dubrovnik Linđo dance, and some beginning Salsa steps. Patricia Struben and Paul Raudner taught us a Breton dance called Hanger Dro. Phill played his amazing version of the Flying Scotsman for us and in between, we danced another fun selection by Zsofi – including Sashay the Doughnut! The after-ceilidh party moved to the nearby pizzeria, and from there to a local bar…

The Saturday morning workshop started quietly, with mostly the experienced dancers showing up first. It gave us the opportunity to try a square set dance (Piper & the Penguin) and practise the Dreamcatcher strathspey ready for the evening demonstration. When our newer dancers arrived, we learned the poussette for Flowers of Edinburgh, danced the Highland Fair and ended with the Flying Scotsman.

For our Saturday evening  dance, we were all dressed up, with some of the guys in their kilts, which is always special. By now our new dancers had gained some confidence, especially since they started to recognise some of the dances. The demonstration of the Dreamcatcher strathspey went down well, with lots of positive comments on wanting to learn it. It was a really lovely evening, and afterwards we went to a local restaurant to enjoy dinner and a social chat. 

By the end of the three days, I could hardly move! It had been a wonderful time, and we were so pleased at how much everyone had enjoyed it, especially people who were new to Scottish dancing. I’d like to share a couple of messages that we received afterwards…

“Thank you for the opportunity and acceptance into the dance group and support! 🙂 It was a challenge to join experienced dancers, but also an extraordinary experience. It was a pleasure to meet great people from all over the world. Thank you for the excellent organization, Zdravko, Marion and everyone, and especially the wonderful lecturer Zsofi for her patience. I look forward to further joint events” 

~Zuzana from Slovakia

“From my last experience with country dancing (as a 10 year old kid), I knew it was fun, but to be honest I did not know what to expect when I went on Thursday. Not much, I’d say… I didn’t expect to be breathless when dancing, to meet so many amazing people… dancers! (My favourite kind of people), to laugh so much, to have so many interesting conversations. The atmosphere you guys created was incredible. So kind, funny, including and connecting. And with a dash of elegance (those gorgeous men in kilts)! Thank you!” 

~Ivana from Croatia

Sounds like our group definitely has two new members! As the organizers on the ground (so to speak), we would like to thank our amazing duo Zsófia József and Phill Jones for their unfailing patience, energy and musicality both beforehand and throughout the event. That was despite Zsofi dancing most of the week with daughter Kloé in her arms or strapped to her back! Thank you so much, you wonderful people! And in relation to that, we would also like to thank the International Branch of the RSCDS and the Susi Mayr fund for their generous support in getting our teacher and musician here. That made such a difference. We would also like to thank Tonči Škabar in the Vrboska Tourist Office, for his support in designing and producing the publicity materials, and for providing the sound system at the ceilidh. We really appreciate it! And last, but not least, thank you to the many dancers and friends who came to the event, some from as far away as Seattle and Gromin Dolac!

If you’d like to watch a video or two from the event, including our demonstration of Dreamcatcher, and the rather impressive ending to the Linđo dance, visit the Hvar Scottish Country Dancers page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hvardancers and please like us!