Abstract:
Hora (round dance) is documented as the most ancient dance in Europe and is found even on the vessels specific to Cucuteni culture. The characters executing this dance are in number of 4, 6 or 8 and represent mainly feminine silhouettes, in a specific stylised manner. This dance is the symbol of a ritualic dance practiced on certain special occasions, as well as a symbol of a dance practiced in reality. The main idea transmitted over time referring to this dance is that of an union dance of a group of people, an idea transmitted from one population to another, from one generation to another. On the territory of Moldavia and Republic of Moldova, on hollydays and days of fun, young people practice a circular dance and revolve at high speed, following the rhythm of a folk music. The Union of the Romanian Principalities in 1859 adopted the same dance calling it Hora Unirii (round dance of the union). The dance symbolized by „hora” has the value of intangible cultural heritage and is on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage works.