Norwegian Dance: Halling / Laus

The halling -- also known as "laus" (loose or free) -- is a traditional Norwegian folk dance usually danced by men. Here are three of Norway&best halling dancers at the final Master Concert of the 2007 Landskappleik (Norwegian national folk music/dance competition) in Geilo, Norway: Eivind Bakken (Telemark), Hallgrim Hansegård (Valdres) and Martin Myhr (Hallingdal). Here, we see the way this dance is authentically danced in tradition. Each year a "kongepokal" (King&Prize) is given in one of the Landskappleik categories. 2007 was the kongepokal for halling. The MC announces this fact and that the three top competitors will now demonstrate their prowess at the dance and she will return and award the prize. At this point, they guys are not competing because the winner has already been chosen - but not announced. They are simply demonstrating and having a great time playing with each other until the MC comes in to present the prize. Hansegård is the director of FRIKAR dance company and was one of the backing dancers for Alexander Ryback&winning Eurovision entry in 2009. Arnhild Brennesvik holds the stick with the hat and Kenneth De Gala plays hardingfele (Hardanger fiddle), Norway&unique fiddle. Video by Jon Thore Bjork. Used by permission.