TFFB – Tanz & Folk Festival Berlin

Bal Folk – The European Dance Tradition Lives On

Bal Folk is a revival of traditional European dance forms that emerged in France in the 1970s: Bourrée, Mazurka, Schottische, Waltz, Polka. Beyond France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, a vibrant scene has developed, which is now also represented in Germany with festivals, regular dance evenings, and schools. Berlin's Spreefolk scene is one of the most active in German-speaking countries.

Three Days of Workshops and Bals

The TFFB format combines dance workshops for various levels during the day – from beginners to advanced – with evening concerts and bals. Bands from all over Europe are invited: French Bourrée specialists, Scandinavian fiddle ensembles, Irish Trad groups, Balkan brass bands. The WABE on Danziger Straße has been the festival stage for years – a large hall with a good dance floor.

Last Edition at WABE

The 10th Anniversary Edition is also the festival's final edition at WABE. The cultural center will be renovated in the coming years; the Spreefolk crew is looking for a new venue for subsequent editions. For many Bal Folk fans from Germany and Europe, this 10th edition is therefore a double occasion: anniversary and farewell edition.

The Berlin Folk Scene

Spreefolk e.V. organizes bals, dance classes, and concerts in Berlin year-round. In addition, there is the initiative BalFolk Berlin and several schools for traditional dance. The scene is intergenerational, international, queer-friendly, and emphasizes egalitarianism: dancers change partners for each set, and roles are not strictly assigned.