In English

Three organisations active in senior dance in Finland

Senior dance was brought to Finland by Margareta Grigorkoff in 1979. Finnish Swede dance activists established Seniordansledarna i Finland in 1985, later Finlands Seniordansförbund rf, which started regular dance leader training in Swedish. The aim of the association is, through moving dances and sitting dances, to promote senior dance in Finland, train leaders, and maintain international contacts. The association organizes annual Senior Dance Day where dancers from all parts of the country come together for senior dancing. The summer senior dance events are organized weekly.

In order to spread senior dance to a wider audience, Kuntokallio Foundation’s Age Institute became a cooperating partner with the association in 1985 when Elina Karvinen took up the responsibility for developing Finnish leader training. Age Institute promotes favourable ageing through research, development and training with a special interest in health exercise for older adults. Age Institute is also involved in surveys and research concerning senior dance. According to a latest survey, there are 10 000 senior dance activists and activities are available in every second Finnish municipality.

To support the Finnish dance activities, Suomen Kansainvälisen Senioritanssin Liitto ry was established in 1997. The union offers to its members biannual Senior Dance Magazine and organizes a senior dance cruise every year. The union aims to maintain contacts with dancers and leaders and put forward the wishes and proposals of dance activists.

The above-mentioned three organisations have a common training system and they work closely together in developing national and international senior dance activities. The latest development area is a senior dance application for special groups. Both senior dance organisations represent Finland together in international leader events.