Lively marching music echoes through a former school gymnasium in Hof’s city center. The program includes guard dance. “Heel, toe – and stretch your arms,” are the clear instructions from Lisa Pjetrovic and Anna Sachadä. The two young women from the Hof carnival society “Narhalla” train a very special troop: the “Urviecher” – a troop of 14 men between 19 and 66 years old.
Only been training for a few months
The men have only been training together since the fall and previously kept fit with soccer or kickboxing. They came to dance more by chance – most of them have wives, daughters or sisters who have been performing as Narhalla dancers and guard dancers for years. Rainer Schrepfer had the idea of being on stage himself – he first had to do some convincing with the other men.
After all, it’s not about the Gaudi dance of a men’s ballet, but about the performance of a men’s guard according to the rules of the BDK (Bund Deutscher Karneval). “It’s like competitive sport,” explains dancer Kai Sachadä during a short break.
After hours of training “like dead” – not comparable to football
Twice a week the “original animals” meet in the hall for training – three to six hours at a time. That leaves its mark, says Rainer Schrepfer: “At first we went home after training and slept through until the next morning – we were like dead. You can’t compare that with football.”
Their trainers see any negligence and immediately note who doesn’t pull their knee high enough, who doesn’t run in time. Have them repeat the same sequence of movements over and over again. Lisa Pjetrovic and Anna Sachadä are experienced dancers themselves – they train their husband and father respectively. This creates completely new experiences: “I’m not used to contradicting my dad. And then you can really push him during training,” says 20-year-old Anna Sachadä with a laugh.
Sweaty dance sport for men
Papa Kai nods – he knows his weaknesses. So he continues to train and even practices at home. You can feel the fun as the men take part in the strenuous dance sport. “It’s really something different. I usually go to the gym, but this is about mobility, and that’s good,” says Daniel Dürrschmidt.
Ambition and fun – that obviously pays off. Although they have only been training for a few months, they have already thrilled audiences at several tournaments. “There was so much applause and support, including from the German champions, the broom makers from Röttenbach, that was so great. I really had tears in my eyes on stage,” says Stefan Söllner, who in addition to his duties as acting Narhalla Prince trained with the “original animals”.
They compete against 15-year-old guard dance cracks
They also impressed the competition judges with their performance and have now qualified for the southern German championship, which will take place at the Hofer Freiheitshalle this weekend. The same requirements apply to the Hof dance newcomers as to the mixed guards with experience, explains Schrepfer’s wife Elvira Pjetrovic, who has long been an active juror in competitions: “Our men compete against 15- or 16-year-olds have been training for many years.”
For example, the sequence of steps, precision with outstretched arms and legs, synchronous movement sequences and lifting exercises are assessed. “And don’t forget to smile,” says trainer Anna Sachadä to the men. Because there are also points for broadcasting.
With their legs swung high, daring lifting exercises and always a big smile on their faces, they want to score points in their brown and gold uniform on Sunday at the southern German championship.
2024-03-02 13:13:38
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