“Christmas around the World” at Brigham Young University

This past weekend saw the annual performance of “Christmas around the World” featuring the International Folk Dance Ensemble. The program featured over 200 talented dancers, singers and musicians in colorful costumes discovering the Christmas traditions of different cultures from around the world. The group performed music and dances from a variety of countries, including Scandinavia, Bulgaria, Wales, and India. “Christmas around the World” has a long tradition at the university.

The International Folk Dance Ensemble was founded in 1956 by Mary Bee Jensen. The first “Christmas around the World” program featuring authentic dances from a variety of countries was performed in 1959 and quickly became an annual holiday tradition. The following images, taken from UA 869 Collection of Brigham Young University photographs and negatives, are from the 1969 performance of “Christmas around the World.”

Christmas around the World, 1969.

Christmas around the World, 1969.

Christmas around the World, 1969.

If you would like to learn more about the International Folk Dance Ensemble or the photographs held in the University Archives, please contact the University Archivist at (801) 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu