Abstract
The monograph U muziky su já chłap, is named after one of the Moravian folk songs traditionally associated with the Slovácko Verbuňk, a folk dance historically linked to the military recruitment of young men. This dance, performed by boys and men and outstanding for its improvised jumping steps, showcases the dancing and singing mastery of dancers from the ethnographic region of Slovácko in southeastern Moravia.
Performed in traditional folk costumes and accompanied by cimbalom or wind music, this dance is a true jewel of the traditional Czech folk culture. In 2005, it was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, thereby attracting many enthusiastic performers and raising general public awareness.
The subtitle of the book, "Současnost slováckého verbuňku" ("The Present of the Slovácko Verbuňk") refers to the ambition of this book, which is to outline the development of the Slovácko Verbuňk by the end of the 20th and in the first two decades of the 21st centuries. The introductory chapters describe the theory and methodology of the dance to provide the reader with an insight into the work of an ethnologist and into the underlying research; they introduce the notions of folklore, folklorism and ethnochoreology, and explain their importance to the Slovácko Verbuňk dance.
The methodology section outlines the options available to an ethnologist when designing and implementing the research, and describes the successes and obstacles experienced by the author of this book during several years of her own research. The following part briefly introduces the history of the Slovácko Verbuňk and outlines the origins of this dance and its role in history - the roots of the current Slovácko Verbuňk in a nutshell.
The core part of the book deals with the current trends of the Slovácko Verbuňk. It describes each of the seven regional versions of this dance with their history, present, musical accompaniment, and occasions when they are performed, and briefly touches upon the eighth, nascent regional style.
The main focus is placed on the Slovácko Verbuňk Best Dancer Competition, which plays a vital role in the shaping of the current trends of the Slovácko Verbuňk. The history of this competition, preparation for it and its course are described as perceived by the participating dancers and the members of the jury on the basis of research and interviews with the dancers.
The final part of the book introduces the youngest participants to the Slovácko Verbuňk - its child performers. It deals with children's folk dance groups in various locations of the Slovácko region and their approach to this dance being performed by children, placing a special focus on the National Child Recruiters' Show, a competition of child Verbuňk dancers