While in Yugoslavia in 1947,as a member of the Britanska Brigada, helping to construct the Omladinska Pruga (Youth Railway) through the Bosnian mountains from Samac to Sarajevo, or we were informed that we were to send a team to Zenica to participate in a sports event with other brigades,nearly all from east European countries. As the games were ending (with unfortunately little British prize-winning), we were told to prepare for a “cultural artistic” finale, and at which each country would present their national dance in the main arena. We were told that this was the moment we should display our national pride. No one knew Morris dancing but we all knew the hokey cokey (Letters,25 September). It was received with rapturous applause, followed by many requests to show other nationalities precisely how it was performed, or so they could consume the dance home with them. The assembly had as its slogan “Death to fascism – freedom for the people”. I like to think that we contributed in some small way.
Bruce Vivash Jones
Cirencester,Gloucestershire• Very much liked Rod Edmond’s suggestion of the England team Morris dancing in response to the All Black haka (Letters, 22 September). I’ve long thought the Irish team could unnerve them by a rapid/fast performance of Riverdance.
Tony Clarke
LondonContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com