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Italian Ballroom Dancers Twirl Through Lockdown

Associated Press

   ROME - Socialdistancingis notusually part of the ballroom dancing
   lexicon. But in an industrial zone on the outskirts of Rome, couples of
   every agetwirland turn across the dance floor, eventhrougha pandemic,
   just as ballroom dancers have done for decades around the world.

   While much of Italy is in a coronavirus lockdown, with live music and
   theatrical performances barred, cinemas shuttered and many sporting
   activities limited, competitive ballroom dancing is alive and well
   here, albeit with precautions.

   The couples at the New Dancing Days hall are preparing for the Italian
   Championships in Rimini in July and as suchare allowed tokeep
   practicing, given that the government considers their activity in the
   national interest.It isthe same allowance that has enabled other
   federally recognized competitive athletes to keep training in Italy
   even during the latest round of virus-related closures.

   "Yes, we can do it. Here we can keep on dancing," said Raffaella
   Serafini, the 45-year-old owner of New Dancing Days and a 35-year
   veteran of competitive ballroom dancing.

   In the huge hall with mirrors on the walls and multi-colored lights,
   couples wear masks during warm-ups and pauses butare allowed toremove
   them while performing traditional ballroom or Latin dances. Most keep
   them on anyway.

   "It's something beautiful for us because we're older, but we can still
   put ourselves in play," said Franco Cauli, a 70-year-old dancer who
   along with his 74-year-old partner is training for a competition at the
   end of April.

   He said he felt safe with the health protocols taken by the school and
   says participants rigorously respect them.

   The Italian Dance Sport Federation has decreed that 34 athletesare
   allowed totrain in a school the size of New Dancing Days, recognizing
   that continuity in practice is necessary.Currently there are 17
   couples, aged nine to 76, who train up to five days a week.

   From a viewing spot above the dance floor, Serafini keeps an eye on her
   twirling students and shouts directions to them. If she sees something
   wrong,she willstop the music, go down to the
   danceflooranddemonstratethe correct way to do a step, pose ortwirl.

   "The school is mygreat pride. When I see them on the dance floor, it is
   like I am there," she said.

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