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Article: FIXIT; Where did the polka originate? Czech it out.(VARIETY)
- Article from:
- Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
- Article date:
- February 23, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Star Tribune Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Karen Youso; Staff Writer
Q - Where did the polka originate? I say Poland and my husband says the dance is German.
A - You're both wrong. According to dance historians, the polka is of Bohemian origin. (Bohemia is now part of the Czech Republic.)
The polka was invented by a peasant girl, Anna Slezak, in 1834. Introduced into the ballrooms of Prague the next year, it was called "Pulka," which is Czech for "half-step," referring to the rapid shift from one foot to the other.
A dancing teacher from Prague danced the polka at the Odeon Theatre in Paris in 1840 and it was a tremendous success. "Polkamania" resulted. Dance academies ...