LA FARANDOLE DE COURTEPIN
The folk dance troupe "La Farandole de Courtepin" was founded in 1938 by Mrs. Hermine RENZ. Originally, it was intended for young girls from the school of home economics who were learning to make a traditional costume. Then, the group began to teach folk dances and men joined the troupe. In 1950, "La Farandole de Courtepin" participated in its first festival abroad in Nice, France.
Over the years, the dance repertoire has grown, the number of members has increased, performances have multiplied and the group has made a name for itself in the world of Swiss folk dance.
The troupe aims to introduce, in Switzerland and abroad, the traditional dances and customs of the Fribourg region. It seeks to familiarize young people with folk culture and traditions. The values of the group are youth, open-mindedness, sharing, commitment, respect for traditions and innovation.
The dance troupe is wearing two folk costumes from the canton of Fribourg as well as a brand new traditional costume, created in 2005. The main costume, called "the ancient territories", illustrates the bilingual tradition of the region of Fribourg. Women wear a long dress with an apron with bib, gloves and a cap made of embroidered ribbons called "liron", typical of the French-speaking part of the region. The men wear black mid-length trousers, a red jacket and a white puff-sleeved shirt, characteristic of the German-speaking part of the region.
With the second costume, La Farandole presents Gruyère, a mountainous region in the south of Fribourg, known worldwide for its cheese. Women wear the "Dzaquillon" and a straw hat. Men wear the "Bredzon", the costume of cowherds and cheesemakers that is still worn today. This is a short-sleeved jacket adorned with edelweiss and blue pants with a wide embroidered belt.
The third costume, called "artisan costume", was made for the stage and designed from historical models. This costume was made for the choreographic creation "le meunier de la Sonnaz", a regional legend of Courtepin. Women’s dress reflects the traditional features of everyday costume in the German-speaking lake region: striped dress with edges finished with bias, laced bodice and blouse with a round neck. The boys wear the famous "Hupper" of the region of Murten, as illustrated on several color engravings from the 19th century.
So that artists can restore, through music and dance, the dose of emotion necessary to revive a tradition, choreographers and musicians have developed a very specific approach: transpose the gesture to the stage, music, the true body response by drawing references from everyday life.
The artists have traveled the world with their show and their joy of life. They associated the best known traditions with the best of Swiss folklore. The group participates in the organization of the Fribourg International Folklore Festival – one of the largest festivals of European folklore.
