'They are trying to make a stand for peace and reconciliation.' Photo: courtesy of the Friendly Folk Dancers
Quaker folk dancing tour in Scotland
'They bring folk dances from countries which have been or are currently in conflict or at war and they make medleys of these dances.'
Scottish Friends have been asked to support an international Quaker dance organisation that will be touring in 2022.
Meri Goad, from St Andrews Meeting, made the proposal to General Meeting of Scotland that Quakers consider assisting the Friendly Folk Dancers group. The proposal has been forwarded to Local and Area Meetings.
Meri Goad told the Friend that she is looking for Quakers to host members of the group, or for Meetings to organise performance venues and help generate audiences.
She has also requested funding from General Meeting of Scotland for a mini-bus. ‘It’s great outreach,’ she said. ‘We’re hoping that they will come in autumn. I first met them when I was a resident Friend in Wellington and I’ve danced with them on various occasions. Basically they have an inclusive policy so that they will invite anyone to dance with them. They tour mostly in the US but also tour internationally once or twice a year, although Covid has recently restricted this. They raise money by selling T-shirts in order to enable Quakers from African countries who would otherwise be unable to take part. Unfortunately the organisation is on a shoestring and you have to pay your own way. They are trying to make a stand for peace and reconciliation so they bring folk dances from countries which have been or are currently in conflict or at war and they make medleys of these dances.
‘Typically, a tour would begin with a few days in one spot for people to come together and learn the dances from scratch. Really the most significant part is that after that they have the whole audience involved so symbolically you are dancing with people who might be strangers and it’s a very powerful thing. I find it so uplifting. It doesn’t dwell on the negative. It brings light, inspiration, love and connection which is exactly what we need.’
Friends who are interested should contact Meri Goad at merigoad@gmail.com. So far she says she has heard from two different Quakers in Orkney and Shetland who are keen to get involved. Some Friends have been concerned about the carbon footprint involved.
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