FOLK DANCE GROUP “LES FOLIES” OF CARCAIXENT
VALENCIA, SPAIN

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Les Folies de Carcaixent is a group dedicated to popular and school-based dances from Carcaixent, in the Ribera Alta region. The group primarily preserves the local folkloric tradition, as well as traditions from neighboring towns closely connected to Carcaixent, both within the Ribera Alta and throughout the Valencian territory, and also plays a notable role in the city of Valencia.

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Before its official formation, the founders—Francesc Xavier Rausell, Francesc Xavier Gregori, and Susanna Vallés—conducted fieldwork to restore and recover the traditional dances of Santa Anna Street in the nearby town of Simat de la Valldigna. As a result of this research into traditional culture, they decided to establish a group in the city of Carcaixent, the hometown of the latter two founders.

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Les Folies began its activities in 1998 with the recovery and reinstatement of the dances of Sant Roc Street in Carcaixent during the Patron Saint Festivities. At the same time, and with the guidance of veteran dancers such as Matilde Cuello, María ‘la Barraleta’, and the ‘Mantellines’ sisters, they recovered much of the Bolero Pla, the “Baile por la del uno,” the Bolero Llís, and the Baile de las Labradoras or school dances, along with the Jota de Navidad, the Malagueña, and the Masurca “de las mantillas,” all of popular character. These performances were presented on December 3, 2005, at the local Antic Auditorium.

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In Carcaixent, work has also focused on recovering the dances of the Procession of Our Lady of Aguas Vivas, conducting a detailed study of the historical entourage and keeping alive each year in the streets the Dance of the Little Shepherds, the Dance of the Serranos, the Dance of the Pilgrim Girls, and the Mystery.

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Following the teachings of various renowned dance masters and their disciples, Les Folies has recovered a large part of the folkloric heritage they left to towns across Ribera Alta and Ribera Baixa, La Safor, and La Costera. Masters such as José Pla Penalva and José España Sifre are among those whose work has been preserved.

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With careful attention to traditional Valencian attire, particularly linked to the late 19th-century customs, the group has performed across the Valencian region as well as in other communities throughout Spain. Their research work has also focused on curating monographic exhibitions of historical clothing, traditional jewelry, and silk production. Their performances are fresh, engaging, and powerful, showcasing a broad and diverse collection of garments originating from the early 19th-century folk dance schools of their region.