How did International Folk Dance groups differ from ethnic community folk-dance groups?

International Folk Dance groups and ethnic community folk-dance groups differ primarily in their purpose, membership, and relationship to the dances they perform.

• Ethnic Community Groups: These groups are composed of individuals who share a specific cultural heritage. Their primary goal is to preserve and pass down their own ethnic legacy to their children and community members. These dances are deeply rooted in the group's identity and are often performed as a way to maintain cultural ties and heritage.1
• International Folk Dance Groups: These groups are recreational in nature and consist of members from diverse backgrounds who learn dances from all over the world, regardless of their own ethnicity. Participants in this movement generally do not consider themselves to be the "folk" of the dances they perform; rather, they borrow or adapt dances that were handed down by someone else's ancestors. To facilitate this, the dances are often codified and decontextualized so they can be performed by anyone, anywhere.2

While ethnic groups focus on the preservation of a specific, lived heritage, the International Folk Dance movement functions as a repository for global dance forms, prioritizing the hobbyist experience over ancestral connection.21