Image taken from Da Hooley ceilidh band official website.
There are only fourteen days left until The XIV Symposium of Mexican Students and Studies starts. The Society of Mexicans Students in the United Kingdom has organised this event across England in thirteen occasions keeping the same objective: Bringing together the Mexican student community and those interested in Mexican issues. The Symposium has also been a great opportunity to visit different places and meet new friends: this year it takes place for the first time in Scotland!
We have been working hard to create an event that breathes quality. During the symposium, we not only want you to have a bit of Mexico but also experience the beautiful Scottish culture. That is why, after listening all the speakers and eating some delicious tamales for lunch, a ceilidh night will mark the end of the second day of this event with one of the most popular ceilidh bands ‘Da Hooley’ (Click here)
A Ceilidh (pronounced “Kay-lay”, emphasis on the first syllable) is a Gaelic word meaning gathering or party, which involves Gaelic folk music and dancing. If you’ve never been to a ceilidh before, you only need to remember the following:
- Whether you like or want dancing or not, fun will be guaranteed. But just to let you know – the cheerful melodies of Scottish music will make you want to dance!
- Ceilidhs are for E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E. Whether you’re an expert or a novice or if you have two left feet, or even three (like me). It’s all about fun, not footwork. To clarify, culture, experience, age, nationality, or ability aren’t requirements for dancing in a ceilidh.If you are having fun then you’re doing it right
- We know that ceilidh can be intimidating and confusing when it’s your first time, but you do not have to worry about it. There will be a special caller that will tell all the participants how to dance. They will even shout out instructions as the music is playing. Also, the choreographies at the beginning are usually easier but, as the night goes by, they become a bit more complicated (albeit more fun!).
- There is also no need to worry about not having a partner because many ceilidh dances tend to be a group dance and in other cases you will finish dancing with a different person at the end of the dance. Therefore, it is an excellent opportunity to meet and network while dancing with a lot of people, friends old and new. Ceilidh is a socially inclusive activity that breaks barriers and builds bridges between participants
- Ceilidh dances are so energetic that it is quite usual to have small breaks for a chat and drink between dances. During these pauses, you can choose to keep dancing or just sit and watch others dancers while enjoying the atmosphere.
The most important advice is that if you haven’t been to a ceilidh before, just try it, and I promise you’ll be astonished how hard it is to refuse dancing and how easy it is to learn all the steps and have fun. So, if your presentation or poster is ready, make sure to pack a pair of comfortable shoes and be ready for a night to remember!
Post by Rosinda Fuentes Pineda
Da Hooley Ceilidh band
Symposium MX 