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weksel

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It is a popular dance from Wielkopolska region, combining the elements of running (sometimes walking) and polka. It belongs to the group of dances that involve partner switching. Sometimes this name is also applied to miotlarz dance in Wielkopolska, in which the switching is “forced” by playing with a broom.

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The name comes from the German word Wechsel (change) and refers to changing the partner in the course of dancing. In Biskupizna region, this dance is called zmieniany. Some sources also mention the name równy-zmieniany. The tempo is moderate or variable, 2/4 metre. The couples in closed hold move along a circle line against the sun (counterclockwise). They start the dance with light running (or, less often, walking) steps, the man facing the direction of dance, the woman with her back to it. Every six or eight bars the dancers turn in place or whirl with polka step (some sources also mention walcerka step). After several turns, the partners switch: the woman joins the man from the couple behind, and the man joins the woman from the couple in front. They repeat the dance sequence: light running steps, polka-like whirling, and partner switching.

Bzdęga, Jan z Domachowa. Wesele biskupiańskie. Gostyń: Gostyńskie Towarzystwo Kulturalne, 1992.

Bobrowska, Mirosława; Budzik, Kazimierz; Linette, Bogusław. Wielkopolski folklor taneczny. Poznań: Wojewódzka Biblioteka Publiczna i Centrum Animacji Kultury, 2005.

Glapa, Adam; Kowalski, Alfons. Tańce i zabawy wielkopolskie. Wrocław: PTL, 1961.