Lipsi, social dance from Germany: what it is and how it is danced

The Lipsi is a group dance from East Germany created in 1959. It was designed as a communist alternative to Western partner dancing. The style was poorly received by youth who preferred Elvis Presley.

Watch it danced Share on WhatsApp

Created in East Germany in 1959.
Designed as a communist alternative to rock and roll.
Group format avoided male-female partner dynamics.
Youth protested the dance in summer 1959.
David Byrne called it a weird sexless popular dance.

What is Lipsi?

The Lipsi is a social dance that originated in East Germany. It features group formations rather than the traditional male-female partner structure common in the West. The choreography avoids close physical contact or leading and following dynamics. David Byrne described it as a sexless popular dance intended to immunize citizens against the influence of American rock and roll.

Where does Lipsi come from?

Officials introduced the Lipsi in 1959 to provide a state-approved alternative to decadent Western styles. The government viewed group dancing as less sexual than partner dances where one person leads the other. This initiative emerged during a period of cultural tension between East and West. The dance was meant to align with communist values and reject capitalist influences.

How is Lipsi danced?

Specific steps and footwork details are not provided in the sources. The dance relies on group coordination rather than individual expression or partner connection. It lacks the gyrations associated with rock and roll. The movements are structured to minimize sexual connotations found in contemporary Western trends.

Lipsi, drawn

The dancers A sketch of the kind of dance, not of one performance.

Group An ensemble in staggered rows, facing the front.

The music of Lipsi

The sources do not specify the musical accompaniment or instruments used for the Lipsi. It is generally associated with the era's popular music but no specific rhythm or meter is recorded. The dance was positioned against the rock and roll genre.

Costume and what is carried

No information is available regarding specific costumes, makeup, or props used in the Lipsi. Dancers likely wore standard clothing of the time without special attire mentioned in the records.

When and where Lipsi is danced

The dance was promoted for general public performance and cultural events. It faced immediate resistance from young people who protested its imposition. Protests began in the summer of 1959, mocking political leader Walter Ulbricht and showing support for Elvis Presley instead.

Styles of Lipsi

There are no known regional variations or schools of the Lipsi. The dance remained a specific state-sponsored creation of East Germany. It did not evolve into different styles or spread to other countries significantly.

What Lipsi means

The Lipsi serves as a historical example of cultural intervention during the Cold War. It represents an attempt to control youth culture through dance. The dance failed to gain traction and is now remembered primarily for its political context and the backlash it provoked.

Questions people ask about Lipsi

What is the Lipsi dance?

The Lipsi is a group dance from East Germany created in 1959. It was intended as a state-approved alternative to Western rock and roll-influenced partner dancing.

Why was the Lipsi created?

It was created to offer a communist alternative to what officials saw as decadent Western dancing. The goal was to reduce sexual elements found in partner dances.

How did young people react to the Lipsi?

Young people rejected the dance. Protests began in summer 1959, mocking political leader Walter Ulbricht and expressing support for Elvis Presley instead.

Where does the Lipsi come from?

The Lipsi comes from East Germany. It was a specific cultural initiative introduced by the government to counter American rock and roll influence.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lipsi (dance)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryGhunghroo rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it describes the dance in outline: it is not a lesson. Traditions differ from one teacher, village or family to the next. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Viennese waltz: Sigismund von Dobschütz, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Raqs sharqi: 13th century artist, Public domain, source

Allemande: User:Hyacinth, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Tango: carlos luque, CC BY 2.5, source

Waltz: unknown engraver, Public domain, source

Dancehall: Desiresibbs, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Folk dance: Francisco Pajares, Jr., CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Quadrille: Silar, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Lipsi