The polonaise is a dance of Polish origin, one of the five Polish national dances in 34 time. Its name is French for "Polish" adjective feminine/"Polish woman"/"girl". The original Polish name of the dance is Chodzony, meaning "the walking dance". It is one of the most ancient Polish dances representing Polish cultural dance tradition. Polonaise dance influenced European ballrooms, folk music and European classical music.
"Polish Dances. A collection of the most favorite polonaises", cover (1890)
Polonaise (1888)
Polish Noblemen dancing Polonaise, painting by Jan Piotr Norblin
Poles dance Polonez, painting by Korneli Szlegel
Polish folk dances are a tradition rooted in ten centuries of Polish culture and history. Many of the dances stem from regional customs and historical events and are distinct from Czech, Slovak and Germanic styles. National dances include formal ballroom or ballet elements. Nowadays, the dances are only performed during major events, holidays or in tourist-oriented public spaces.
Bohemian Polka had a profound impact on Polish dances and became widespread
The Polonaise is the national dance of Poland and is performed at formal occasions
Dancers from the Polanie Folk Dance Group in Ottawa wearing costumes from the Kraków region. 2019
Goral of Podhale - member of Trebunie-Tutki folk band from Zakopane.