Faroese chain dance

Steps and singing

The basic dance relies on a steady rhythm of footsteps rather than instruments. Participants hold hands so that each dancer's right hand overlaps the neighbour's left hand. In the standard style, dancers take two steps to the left followed by one step backwards. A lead singer, known as the skipari, must know every verse by heart and sings the main narrative. The surrounding dancers join in powerfully for the refrain. As the line grows, the unbroken circle curves inward to create loops, letting participants face one another across the room as they move.

Regional styles and games

Dancers practice distinct variations across different islands. In the southern islands such as Suðuroy, dancers show more expressive motion than in the north, where foot stamping remains the central focus. The crowding style, or trokingarstev, involves dancers stepping backwards during verses and surging forward for the chorus. Another version, the ribbon dance or bandadansur, arranges couples in two opposing rows holding lengths of ribbon. During the refrain, couples duck beneath the raised ribbons in an energetic sequence. Historical dance games also accompany specific folk tunes.

Winter evenings and Ólavsøka

Chain dancing belongs mainly to the long winter evenings. Local dance associations begin regular sessions in autumn, usually starting in September or October. Dancing pauses completely during the Christian season of Lent, a pause traced back to the Catholic Middle Ages, before resuming after Easter until early summer. During the bright summer nights indoor dancing largely stops, except for the national holiday of Ólavsøka. In late July, crowds gather in Tórshavn to sing at midnight and continue dancing the chain dance through the night.

How Faroese chain dance is kept

Dancers link hands in a continuous circle, overlapping right hands over left hands. A leader called the skipari sings the narrative verses of a ballad while everyone steps to a steady cadence. When the chorus arrives, the entire ring sings the refrain together. As new people enter, the chain bends into inner concentric loops within the room. Dancers adjust their gestures to the story, clenching hands during tales of combat or showing joy when victories are recounted.

When and where

The dancing season begins in September or October and runs through winter until Carnival in February. Following a pause for Lent, sessions resume after Easter and continue into May or June. A major gathering also takes place during the national holiday of Ólavsøka at midnight on 29 July.

The dance is practised throughout the Faroe Islands, from Suðuroy and Sandoy to Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vágar, and the northern isles. Dedicated dance associations also organize evenings in Copenhagen, Denmark, and public events take place at Sjónleikarhúsið in Tórshavn.

What Faroese chain dance means

The dance connects participants directly to the stories within the ballads. Dancers share the mood of the kvæði through physical gestures, clenching their hands during scenes of battle or moving jubilantly during triumph. Because the winding circle turns dancers face to face, the shared singing fosters a strong sense of fellowship.

Questions people ask about Faroese chain dance

See also

Independence DayThe United States' national day of parades, barbecues and fireworks, kept each July 4Advent calendarA daily countdown to Christmas using doors, images, or small gifts.St John's EveBonfires, feasting and worship on the short night before John the Baptist's feastSt. Martin's DayA November feast of lantern walks, bonfires, roast goose and new wine

Good reading and sources

• Faroese chain dance on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.