Kemen Dantza Taldea are from the Basque Country, Spain and were formed in 1973 by the parents of children at the Txingudu Basque School in Irun, there are now two distinct groups - a 180-strong school group and the adults, Kemen, with 60 musicians and dancers. Sword dancing in the Guipuzkoa area dates from at least the 15th century and Kemen's dance follows closely a description of 1754. Kemen aim to spread the Basque culture through polished performances. Prize winners at Llangollen and in Catalonia, they have travelled widely across Europe but are making their first appearance in England.
