34th Dance of Life 2026: We danced, watched over one another, sang, prayed, and laughed
Delighted and enriched by this moving ceremony—the 34th “Dance of Life” in 2027 in Lavaldieu—we have returned to our daily lives.
This is the message from the 34th Dance of Life, which is now taking effect:
At the intersection of yesterday and tomorrow
We find comfort in the silence.
Free from the allure of images
let’s get started and
Change happens.
We—about 70 people in the countryside, 19 of whom were there for the first time, along with a few local guest dancers and 14 dancers from other regions—danced, sang, tended to the land, and celebrated life together. Given the special circumstances this summer—with a high risk of wildfires—we treated nature with care and had to refrain from using open fires.
Nevertheless, we managed to pray in sweat lodges—using sun-heated stones and hot water—in sweltering conditions —and instead of a child’s fire, we had to tend a large candle; we reinforced the prayers on the sticks with the “gong” of a singing bowl. These new experiences show us how well our ceremonies work even under changed conditions—which encourages us for the future.
In the northwest, we established a special dance line called “Next Generation,” where we dreamed of and drew inspiration for the continuation of the Dance of Life. There, dancers envisioned people—including newcomers—enthusiastically carrying on the dance. Following Russell’s sudden death earlier this year, Rachel and her husband now tend to the land in Lavaldieu—she unveiled a new sign and, together with her daughter, danced a moving tribute in the guest line.
Many of us were also deeply moved by the wedding ceremony at the altar in the East, which was celebrated on Thursday evening during the Yin Yang Dance. Two people from our circle, looking radiant in their festive attire, exchanged vows during this shamanic wedding ceremony.
