Mountain Bluebird
International Day of Happiness
Mar 20
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"đś Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That's loved by you. "
~ "Happiness", You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, 1967
There are few things on earth that bring as much joy as dancing! On Happiness Day, we celebrate the joy and communal spirit of Scottish Country Dance and its music, and all the teachers, musicians, and countless other individuals who make it possible to continue to bring people of all ages, all over the world to enjoy this particular historic dance form. This inspirationally titled reel, with an appropriate "hello and goodbye" setting reminds us of the importance of maintaining community, history, tradition, and a sense of belonging for the next generation. đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż đş đ đ đ
Happiness Is Scottish Country Dancing
Happiness is ... Scottish Country Dancing, of course!
Another harbinger of happiness is the bluebird, remembered today, for International Happiness Day, celebrated worldwide every 20 March, conceptualized and founded in 2012 by philanthropist, activist, statesman, and prominent United Nations special advisor Jayme Illien to inspire, mobilize, and advance the global happiness movement.
Known for its beautiful warbling song, the symbol of bluebirds as the harbinger of happiness is found in many cultures and may date back thousands of years. And in many fairy tales, the blue bird is a symbol of hope.
The concept of a "blue bird of happiness" was introduced in Maurice Maeterlinck's play The Blue Bird (1908). The bird in that play is not actually a bluebird, but merely a bird that is blue (which is symbolically significant in the play). As a result of this play, bluebirds became a widely recognized symbol of happiness and cheer, and have been used as such by numerous songwriters.
For a beautiful brief video of a bluebird in the snow with birdsong, click the illustration of "The Bluebird" by Frank Cadogan Cowper 1918.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
