Folk dances, like folk songs, are an integral part of folk creativity, so that in exile, folk dance groups were formed in addition to the establishment of choirs. The first dance groups with individual performances took part in the England Latvian Son Festival in 1951, but since 1967s special dance performances were organised with the participation of all the Latvian dance groups in England. In August 1956, the Latvian National Council in Great Britain (LNPL) held folk dance and play training courses under the direction of folk dance specialist Vera Rulliņa at the Latvian Home (Nieuport House in Almeley). At the end 1967, the Engand Branch of the European Latvian Youth Association (ELJA AN) held a full-length seminar on "The Role of People's Dances in Exile Society". In 1966, the Leeds division of the Latvian Welfare Fund (Daugava Vanagu fonds – DVF) held a dance performance for the first time with 100 participants, which received an enthusiastic audience response. In the following years, six more such dance performances took place. It should also be noted that a children's song and dance festival in Bradford, held on 9 June 1968, included a dance group led by V. Rulliņa. After her death (May 11, 1974) the Christian Union of Latvian young men and young women established a commemorative award (kokle and commendation) for her outstanding contribution to the development of Latvian folk dances. The first award was to the Bradford folk dance group “Sakta”.
Latvian folk dance groups in Britain
Atspolīte was formed in Bradford by a group of scouts and guides. On 19 September 1953, the group participated in a Latvian and Ukrainian song and dance evening.
Dižie, the DVF dance group of Northern England, started in April 1982, when Kārlis Uskalis invited former “Kamoliņa" and "Sakta" dancers to take part in the 10th Latvian Song Festival. The group continued to perform for many years and participated in the Latvian folk dance and folklore performances dedicated to the LNPL 50th anniversary on 12 November 2000. On 12 October 2002, the group celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Jautrais pāris, a Stockport folk dance group, was active in the first half of the 1950s. It took part in the Latvian cultural days in Manchester on 7 September 1952.
Kamoliņš started life on 29 January 1950 in Leeds. The first major Kamoliņš performance was at the song festival in London in 1951. Participation in all subsequent Latvian song festivals followed, as well as successful participation in international festivals in Wales, Edinburgh, France, Italy. It should be noted that Kamoliņš "participated in the Baltic Peace and Freedom Cruise in 1986. Members of Kamoliņš have taken part in anti-communist demonstrations in Sweden, Bonn, Leeds and other cities. The group was led by Vera Rulliņa and Ilga Mieriņa. In 1980, Kamoliņš celebrated the 30th anniversary of the dance performance "Spring Fairy", and in 2000 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the group's performance. It was estimated that over these years about 200 dancers were involved, who participated in around 500 events and 1400 rehearsals, and learnt 60 dances. The group continues in the UK, Latvia, Ireland and elsewhere in Europe and worldwide. In November 2017, after a call from the South American and Caribbean Latvian Association (DAKLA), 24 members of Kamoliņš together with folklore group "Dūdalnieki" performed in two cities in Brazil (Nova Odessa and Ijuí) and participated in discussions about folklore and life in the diaspora.
Kaķīši were formed in May 1984 as a popular folk dance group at DVF “Straumēni” (Catthorpe Manor). It was successful for 10 years and the leaders of the group were: Jānis Zaķis, Rolands Blezūrs, Aija Varmane (Otto), Dace Fischer. Kaķīši have participated in many Latvian events, at “Straumēni” and elsewhere. Their first performance was "Grandma's Birthday". In 1988 "Kaķīši" performed with a programme of "Latvian wedding in songs and dances".
Londona dejo was formed in 1977 by Victor Grigulis after Marianna Zariņa, proposed inviting former “Metieniņš”, “Sakta” and “Pērkonītis” dancers to come together. The first performance took place as early as the 1977 “Friendly Call” (Draudzīgais aicinājums) event in London. From then on, the participation of the London dance group in song festivals, various dance performances, international events gained great recognition and in 1986 the group was received the Foundation Recognition prize from the Januma Foundation.
At the Latvian Song Festival in Sweden, V. Rulliņa received the award for outstanding merit in the preservation and promotion of Latvian folk dance. Together with her performances, she has won countless cultural events and participated in many dance performances. Londona dejo were the first to visit group to Latvia and participated in the Song and Dance Festival. Londona dejo are still dancing, and together several generations of dancers have been involved. In 2013 the group organized a large folk dance festival, which was attended by the Latvian dance group "Liesma" from Latvia, the youth dance group “Salinieki” and the children’s folk dance group “Dzirnaviņas” from Dublin.
Metieniņš. On 23 February 1969, this new dance group was founded in London by Ilga Millere. Since then the group has performed at various events at the London DVF, often with the instrumental ensemble of the London Latvian mother-tongue school. Mazais Metieniņš brought together younger dancers under Margareta Putce.
Pastarnieki formed as a dance group in London in 1958 under the direction of DVF London's Zigrīda Widner and actively participated in various dance performances.
Pērkonītis started at Easter 1961 under the wing of the DVF Corby Branch. Ināra Fafrote took the lead and was assisted by Margareta Daškevica from London. The first performances took place on 13 May 1961 at the international dance festival in Northampton and on 22 May 1961 in Bradford. Later, the group was led by Viktors Grigulis and Laima Zaķe. Younger dancers under the age of 15, formed Mazais Pērkonītis. Their first performance was after a theatrical performance on 25 April 1964. The big event for Pērkonītis was their participation in the First European Latvian Song Festival in Hamburg in 1964, followed by 12 concerts in different Latvian centres in Germany. Traditionally they hold a ball to celebrate the founding of the group. Pērkonītis has performed at various events in other Latvian centers in England as well.
Ritenītis was founded in 1964 and was based at Coventry branch of the DVF. In various years, the group was led by Indulis Kažociņš, Emīls Alksnītis
Sakta began its activities in 1949 and was led by Velta and Felix Lintiņ. Later, Vera Rulliņa took over the management of the dance group. Under her leadership, Sakta was involved in song days, dance performances and other events, as well as participating in various international dance festivals in Dublin, France, Isle of Man, Holland, Germany. A number of performances at the Llangollen international folklore festival in 1989 are notable. She also created the youngest set of dancers, Saktiņa. In 1974, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sakta, it was determined that the group had delivered more than 400 performances and trained 140 dancers. Sakta has participated in all the Latvian song festivals in England and Europe.
Sienāzītis was a Birmingham folk dance group, led by Zenta Blezūra.
Sprīdītis, a Halifax youth dance group, operated for about ten years in the 1970's under the leadership of Austra Račicka.
Folk dance groups after 1991
In the 21st century, the activities of folk dance groups have continued: ance groups Londona dejo (leader Ilze Aizsilniece) and Kamoliņš in Leeds (led by Māris Pu).
New dance groups have also been established: Jautrais pāris in London (led by Anna Auziņa) and Salinieki in London (led by Kaspars Frīdmanis). A new group has been formed in Corby and following tradition has adopted the name Pērkonītis (led by Zane Jansone).
Other new folk dance groups
Austras koks in Derby (led by Egija & Arsens Zvaigznes).
Četri vēji Aberdeen (led by vad. Gunta Lielmane).
Edinburgas TDK (led by Astra Plēpe-Bunga).
Jumis Mansfield (led by Aija Leonoviča).
Lesteras TDK (led by Vineta Bauze).
Rakstā Peterborough (led by Inese Asermane).
Sakta Birmingham (formed in 2016, led by Lita Mackeviča).
Straumēni Strauman (led by Viesturs Bērziņš).
Zīlaine Peterborough (led by Evija Vilcāne).