Flemish Folk Dance Group Dophei, Vosselaar, Belgium
What's in a name
Vosselaar is a small Flemish-speaking village to the east of Antwerp in northern Belgium, situated in an area called the Campine. This area is very beautiful: being a raised seabed, the terrain is sandy and covered with forests interspersed with heather.
The name "DOPHEI" has been taken from the bell-heather, growing profusely in the area.
Presentation
The wealth of Flemish dances, music and songs may not be allowed to disappear. The Flemish Folk Dance Group Dophei especially wants to keep alive the dances from the Campine region. Accompanied by their own orchestra they perform traditional dances that celebrate the village fair and other festivities but also dances related to the harvesting season, always dressed in carefully chosen authentic costumes. This way they can offer audiences a program full of variation.
Our youngsters
Also youngsters play an important part within Dophei: our youngest members are only five and practice every week on Wednesday afternoon.
Festivals...
Every other year the group organizes its own International Festival in which groups from the whole world have participated. How much we all enjoy dancing, can easily be seen in our performances. No wonder that Dophei has been a most welcome guest at many national and international festivals.
Our latest festival was held in Vosselaar from 10 till 16 August 2010. The groups that participated are:
Compania Folklorica Sinaloense from Culiacan, Mexico
Ansamblul Folcloric 'Magura' from Codlea, Romania
Hjemstavns Folkedanserne from Frederiksberg, Denmark
Grupo Etnográfico Santo António de Arenilha, Portugal
Pictures of this event will follow shortly.