Dance Research NRW #43

The Romanian choreographer and filmmaker Simona Deaconescu will investigate the so-called historical "dance epidemics" along the Rhine in Aachen and Cologne.

In 1374, hundreds of people in several towns along the Rhine valley were seized by an uncontrollable urge to dance. Deaconescu argues that the manic dances were the result of social trauma and were practised both as a means of rebellion and community healing. As part of her research, "Looking for Medieval Ravers in Rhineland", she will present a possible re-enactment of the 1374 dance pilgrimage and create a short documentary video about her findings.