Austria is a small country located in the centre of Europe. Here in England we will know of it through a number of cultural references such as the musical starring Julie Andrews, the romantic Viennese Waltz and the delicious dish of veal escalope coated in breadcrumbs and lightly fried called  Vienasnitzel. Austria is a landlocked mountainous country surrounded on three sides by German-speaking people. Before the first world war, it was the centre of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and had a rich cultural tradition of art, sculpture, music and architecture. During the Victorian period, the wealthy people of Austria adopted more worldy fashions but small aspects of their peasant clothes remained and were included. These are still in evidence today in the dirndl skirts, bodices and blouses for women and the felt jackets with contrasting lapels of the men. But perhaps the most well known items of make clothing were the lederhosen (leather shorts with bib and brace) and the trilby hat trimmed with a feather.

In the later 19^th century the traditions of folk dance began to come under threat by modernity. As a result, certain communities were encouraged to document and hold onto their dances and the associated music in a similar way to how Cecil Sharpe did with the Morris tradition in England during the early 20^th Century. Following the end of the First World War, Austria developed its own sense of nationalism and its own music, dance and feast days based on long established traditions. Young and old were encouraged to join in and many feast days in this very Catholic country were celebrated with dance and music. Following the First World War, the younger people went to the homes of the elders to learn the dances from them. As Austria became a much smaller, identifiable region after the empire, it was possible to begin to develop a more singular identity.

Many of the folk dances were originally ways of acting out particular aspects of rural life and not performed publicly. In this respect they followed tradition found in many cultures right around the world. For example, the Maypole in England represented a centuries old fertility celebration connected with Spring. Today, the dances are performed in public to be watched as part of festivals and tourism. Nevertheless, they still hold their meanings and are expressions of communities and their value.

Many dances are in 2/4 (band marching) time such as the Polka or 3/4 (Waltz) time. Both had their origins in the 19^th Century. Occasionally dances can now be found in 4/4 time. Many Austrian dances involve twisting and turning with yodelling or singing. Some are promenades such as those found at weddings where they would snake through the house ending up at the reception area. Arm twisting and twining was important and these youngsters are attempting such moves in their dance. The dance called the Ländler is an example of this. It originated in the Alps of Austria and the Bavarian region. The music is lively and in 3/4 time. The main figure of the dance is the female turning under the male’s arm as they hold hands. The hand-holding involves complicated grasps that need to be learnt to ensure the couple do not break away from each other.