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Táncház (Hungarian pronunciation:[ˈtaːnt͡shaːz], literally "dance house") is a "casual" Hungarian folk dance event (as opposed to stage performances). It is an aspect of theHungarianroots revival of traditional culture which began in the early 1970s, and remains an active part of the national culture across the country, especially in cities likeBudapest. Táncház draws on traditions from across the regions of theKingdom of Hungary (most notablyTransylvania), especiallymusic anddance. The term is derived from a Transylvanian tradition of holding dances at individuals' homes.
The táncház traditions were recreated as authentically as possible, a process aided by fairly detailed research on Hungarian culture. The movement is composed of numerous informal groups. Since the 1970s, non-ethnic Hungarians living in Hungary have had their folk traditions treated the same as their Hungarian neighbors. In addition, ethnic Hungarians outside of Hungary, such as those in Transylvania,Slovakia, and theSiret River valley ofMoldavia, are also celebrated by the táncház movement.Sic/Szék in Romania has three streets: Felszeg, Csipkeszeg and Forrószeg, and each street had their own "táncház". Two of the dance houses have been restored or rebuilt: the dance house of Csipkeszeg is now a museum and in the rebuilt dance house of Forrószeg you can admire the dance house pictures of Korniss Péter, a photographer from Budapest. Every month there is a Hungarian dance house in Sic/Szék organized by the Csipkeszeg Foundation.
Within theUnited States, Hungarian dance groups such asCsűrdöngölő (inNew Jersey),Tisza Ensemble (inWashington, D.C.),Kárpátok (inLos Angeles),Életfa (inNew York andNew Jersey), andCsárdás (inCleveland) perform on stage bringing the feel of the táncház to general audiences, and camps such asTi Ti Tábor (inWashington state) andCsipke (inMichigan) bring dance teachers and musicians from Hungary and Transylvania to teach North Americans the music and dance of the Hungarian peoples.
In theUnited Kingdom,Csergő Band has a regular Hungarian dance house inLondon.
North America's preeminent Hungarian folk music group specializing in Tanchaz music is theGyanta Band. The podcastTanchaz Talk, hosted byKalman Magyar, is the world’s only English-language program focusing primarily on Hungarian folk music.
In recognition of the revitalization and safeguarding efforts of the táncház method in teaching traditional dancing, it has been inscribed onUNESCO'sList of Intangible Heritage of Urgent Safeguarding in November 2011.[1]
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