Scenes from Korčula - Moreška

Mediterranean Romantic dance dating from the 12th century, transferred from Spain in the year 1571. Nowadays, Moreška is a part of cultural tradition. The dance is performed by two groups of people, each called moreškant - white ones dressed in red clothes and black ones, wearing black. The fighters are led by the king (kraljevi), who fight over Bula, the fiancee of the white king which was abducted by the black king's son - Moro. In the introductory part, Bula rejects Moro, after which follows sfida - the challenge and Moro's dance, as well as the sword conflict. The seven scenes - kolap's are accompanied by a woodwind orchestra. The dancing tempo and the clash of swords intensifies as the dance progresses. The white side, a symbol of good, always prevails and returns Bula to the white king. Every family from Korčula has at least one active dancer - moreškant, and the children learn the steps since elementary school.