Those who believe that breakdancing was a passing fancy of the 1980's should take a closer look at Sade (Rain), a week-long dance festival in Helsinki. Hundreds of hip-hop fans are keeping improvised street dancing at the forefront of pop culture.
Sade organizer Sara Hein believes that breakdancing's revival will have a longer run this time around. She says that hip-hop culture has become more mainstream since the 1980s, which means there are more enthusiasts than ever.
On Sunday dancers kicked off the festivities at the Gloria Cultural Arena in downtown Helsinki.
On hand was veteran US hip-hop dancer and instructor Charles Salter. While the genre sprang from the Bronx ghettos in New York, he sees no conflict in its adoption by Finnish youth. He notes that Finland is becoming increasingly urbanised all the time. Salter adds that there are more and more youngsters -- including many of immigrant descent -- in what they call the "ghettos" of Helsinki who love rap and breakdancing. YLE24 Gloria Cultural Arena
