Berlin’s Spring Jamboree Tour
Plus the highlights of Dresden, Prague and Munich
March 11 – March 20, 2009

The History of Square Dancing and Berlin's Spring Jamoboree Festival

In the 50's Square Dance began as an initiative to support the American troops. Dancing teachers in Berlin integrated Square Dance through contacts and courses in the USA into youth organizations. Normally it was just learned by heart from the dancing groups and just completed the folkloric dancing program of mainly dancing groups with young dancers.

At the same time the Americans in Berlin initiated German and American Square Dance evenings. When dancing teachers discovered the variety of figures, groups were formed that specialized themselves on Square Dance, leading to a development of many different Square Dance Clubs. Stationed soldiers who remembered Square Dance from their home countries, contributed to the development of the Square Dance scene as such and led to the foundation of Caller courses which strengthened the formation of the different clubs in Berlin.

In the beginning of the 60's there existed one American (the Berlin Dancing Bears) and three German clubs (Berlin Swinging Bears, Havel City Dancers and the Rubber Dollies) in Berlin. These four clubs always worked strongly together and founded in 1967 the Berlin Square Dance Association (BSDA), where Square Dance activities like Specials, Classes, Demos, summer- and holiday events and trainings for new callers were and always will be coordinated. The different clubs visited and caller replaced each other if necessary. That is why the decision was made that a dancer who is a member of club in Berlin, is allowed to dance in Berlin club without an additional membership. Nationwide events were always supported by every single Square Dance club and this has never changed.

A Message from the Mayor of Berlin Berlin owes a lot to the United States of America. When the Americans came to us after World War II, they came not as occupiers but as liberators. They helped out wherever they could, and their optimism and ability to enjoy life had a huge influence on the people of Berlin. Many friendships were forged during these years. People celebrated Christmas together, met in jazz clubs and discos, and got together at events and fairs. In addition, American soldiers brought many fine traditions with them to Germany, including square dancing, which still enjoys great popularity in our city. Our active square dancing clubs, where you can dance every night of the week somewhere in Berlin, are clear proof of this popularity. As a result, our city has evolved into an important draw for the square dancing scene. The fact that Berlin's square dancing clubs are now hosting their 8th international Square Dancing Jamboree underscores the reputation they enjoy far beyond the boundaries of the capital. In this spirit, I would like to welcome you to the 2009 Spring Jamboree here in Berlin. I am delighted that so many square-dance fans from Germany and abroad want to take this opportunity to visit Ger­many's capital city. I wish all of the square dancers a successful Spring Jamboree and a wonderful time dancing together! Klaus Wowereit Regierender Bürgermeister von Berlin

 Full Tour Itinerary
 Berlin Jamboree Package information
 Download Greeting from the Mayor of Berlin [pdf]

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