The Folk Dance Association ”Gamle Danses Værn in Viborg (GDV)”


The folk dance association Gamle Danses Værn (Preserve Folk Dance) in Viborg

Our  folk dance association Gamle Danses Værn in Viborg (GDV) was formed on 23rd January 1945. We are affiliated  with National Associate of  Folk  Dancers and the Danish Gymnastik og Idrætsforeninger (Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association), as well as Kulturel Samråd  (The local culture council) in Viborg.


The main purposes of our association:
- To teach and train Danish folk dancing - To preserve the old
 - folk dance music   
- To preserve  the old regional costumes
- To recreate old habits and customs  
- To protect our old Danish culture
- To teach and train  international folk dance
- To create cultural activities addressed to the public
- To establish contact with people in other countries,
 - GDV's twin cities, by visiting/ revisiting in connection with for
- instance dancing and open events.
- To collect youngsters and seniors for fun and pleasant gatherings 


The dance evenings are the basis of the GDV activities. During these evenings we are instructed in some of the  approximately 800 Danish and international folk dances. We also like to sing and to drink our coffee brought from home enjoying each others company. 



We  have many other activities, such as excursions, member evenings, trips abroad, and show dance in for instance retirement homes and friendship associations.


The dances, the music and the costumes originate mainly from the period 1750 - 1850. The repertoire includes circle, serials, quadrilles, 3 couple, 2 couple and couple dances. The  choice of   musical instruments - like the dance repertoire is in accordance with the style of the time.




We keep up the old costume tradition by helping our members in the winter months sew their own folk costumes.

The GDV also has a group of musicians both talented and joyful, many of them  play for us, just  for pleasure. Their instruments are clarinet, accordion, bass, violin, guitar and piano.


For years the GDV  has had close contacts  to folk dancers  in many European countries. Thus we have participated in many festivals at home and abroad. The association has also arranged festivals in Viborg. Each year we participate at the National rally arranged by the Associate of Danish Folk Dancers. 

The folk dance association Gamle Danses Værn v/Niels Rohde Pedersen Timianvej 14, 8800 Viborg.
Tlf. (+45) 8662 4722 E-mail: Niels Rohde Pedersen
Forside