Fascinating Part of the World Dance Program - Latin American Dances
Who does not know it, the incredible attraction of the Latin American dances. Possible as a spectator and observer of the dancers or as a dancer her- or hisself - the Latin dances have always been the communication in between the partners in the foreground and address the couple's relationship in different ways.
Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive - these are the five social and tournament dances of Latin. Despite the name, the origin of the dances is not decisive. Decisive are the technical dance sequences, which are similar throughout the five dances. These were defined by international dance associations. Rumba, Samba and Cha-cha-cha actually originate from Latin America, while the Jive comes from North America and the Paso Doble has its origins in Spain and France.
Beyond these dances, there are others, which belong to Latin dances, but which are not considered as competition ballroom dancing. Bachata, Mambo, Merengue, Salsa and Tango Argentino are called popular dances and performed in many ethnic groups throughout Latin America to traditional music.
As already mentioned, the technology of the Latin American dances is very similar. The movements of the dance partners are happening further apart, such as in the standard dances. This offers a better view of the movements and the body for the partner as well as for the public. This is also another characteristic of the dances. The communication of the dance should not just happen in between the dancing couple, but also promote communication with the audience.
The tournament dances are divided into different age groups and levels, what means, amateurs and professionals are evaluated separately. The “International Council of Ballroom Dancing“ (ICBD) holds the World Championships of professionals in the Latin dances since 1959. The last five years Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko from the US won the world championship of professionals. By contrast, the „World DanceSport Federation“ (WDSF) stages the World Cup of amateurs. Here since 2012 the Italian team Aniello Langella & Khrystyna Moshenska won.
