Flanders Group
DIE SPELEWEI
Flanders Group - Die Spelewei
(FLANDERS IN BELGIUM)
See the festival events at a glance
Since their foundation in 1956 members of Die Spelewei have studied and cultivated the Flemish folklore.
Beginning as young as 6 years of age, these youngsters can progress on to the groups’ Youth section and then at the age of 18 join their Adult Group. Some of the group also organise the International Folklore Festival of Westerlo, similar to Damhsafest Die Spelewei regularly take part at other festivals at home and have performed at international folklore festivals in nearly every European country, where they exchange traditional music and dances.
Die Spelewei bring the Flemish traditional folklore to life with a mixture of older and newer dances using wooden shoes, sword, a May-tree, a sailor dance and “de Trawantel” and their traditional stick dance from Westerlo.
Belgian group in action, Die Spelewei from the Flanders region, coming to Cork for Damhsafest 2010
Tours and festivals
Since its foundation, Die Spelewei has performed at a lot of international folklore festivals. In nearly every European country, Die Spelewei has been on stage. These international trips are very important to get in contact with other cultures. Contacts with other cultures always lead to interesting experiences and friendship. The exchange of traditional music and dance is a most particular medium to do so. Beside the international festivals, Die Spelewei regularly takes part at festivals in its own country.
International foklore festival of Westerlo
Shortly after its foundation back in 1956, Die Spelewei organised its first local harvest festival. This event was soon getting bigger and became the International Folklore festival of Westerlo. At the foreground of a 19th century castle, the festival of Westerlo is organised every year in August. About five foreign groups from all over the world take part at this festival to show their traditional dances. Participating dancers and musicians stay with host families. The families became very special for the festival because their hospitality is praised by the participating groups over and over again. In return, these families share a wonderful time with their guests during five or six days. The visiting groups get a unique chance to see the Flemish way of life. That is why the folklore festival in Westerlo always is an event never to be forgotten by the participating groups and families.
Belgian group in action, Die Spelewei from the Flanders region, travelling to Cork for Damhsafest 2010
