Polka - popular Czech dance

Kostelec nad Labem is birth place of the Czech dance - Polka.

In 1834 Anna Chadimova came to Kostelec nad Labem from the Sedlcany county. She served in the Klastersky family. Anna was well-tempered, she always sang and danced when she worked. The Klastersky were a musical family. Preceptor Josef Neruda taught their childern to play the piano. Anna enthraled Neruda, she was always happy and her favourite song was "Nimra". Neruda let her sing it for him and he composed music to the song. Anna happily danced to that melody. The melody and step of the dance become known to the young people in the town. They danced in the streets and in the pub at night. The dance become very popular and was introduced to Prague. The polka comes to the world with love from Kostelec nad Labem.

The destiny of both people responsible for birth of polka dance wasn't a fairytale. Anna died as a beggar and preceptor Neruda was murdered.

 

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Some music samples of classic polka. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 (MSN Audio © Microsoft Corporation , 8kHz, Mono, 13000 Baud, 2kB/sec)