Luiza Oancea, ESN Molde president, dancing to the Brazilian beat at Molde Swing- og Rockeklubb. Photo: Monica Akech Systad

Samba and forró at Molde swing club

It was a Tuesday evening worth shaking off to as a few Brazilian students taught Norwegian dancers at Molde Swing- og Rockeklubb impressive moves.

By MONICA AKECH SYSTAD

The event was part of the Social Erasmus Week organized by Erasmus Student Network (ESN) in Molde, which is celebrated all across Europe from 10th to the 16th of November and calls for international students to join the communities they live in and either socialize with the locals, participate in charity work or engage in environmental developmental practices.

“Given the high number of Brazilian students at campus, which corresponds with Latin nights on Tuesdays at the club, we thought that involving them in the program would encourage socialization among the dancers who are mainly Molde residents.” said Luiza Oancea, ESN Molde president.

Luiza Oancea (left) and Helena Santa'Ana. Photo: Monica Akech Systad
Luiza Oancea (left) and Helena Santa’Ana. Photo: Monica Akech Systad

The students taught them samba and forró moves, which are popular Brazilian dances. The dancers picked up the moves quite fast, since they were familiar with the steps from earlier tango lessons.

“I have really enjoyed myself today. My wife and I normally come for tango lessons every Tuesday on Latin nights, so trying out Brazilian dance was a great experience for us,” said Arne Akselvoll, a dancer at the club and Molde resident.

Brazilian students Gabriela Albuquerque (left), Tiago Salvador and Juliana Da Silva. Photo: Monica Akech Systad
Brazilian students Gabriela Albuquerque (left), Tiago Salvador and Juliana Da Silva. Photo: Monica Akech Systad

Svein Aspås, leader of the dance club’s Latin group, said they would like to include more students from the university and encouraged the international student community at Molde University College to come up with more dance-related ideas. The club charges an annual fee of 300 kroner and another 50 kroner for the Latin classes.

More information on how to register can be found on the club’s website.