In Sweden, if you’re moved by the music in a bar or restaurant and find your feet moving with the rhythm, you could cost the bar or restaurant owner his license; ‘spontaneous dancing’ without a license is against the law.
Now, after years of ridicule and criticism, it appears the ban might be headed for an end, with the Justice Minister putting it at the top of his list. Gunnar Strommer told broadcaster SVT that “If I had to choose a law that should be removed, it is the one about the dance permit. But legislative work is underway and it will probably be ready to go quite soon.”
But impulsive dancers should probably wait for final passage: There have been many resolutions for change in the past, but they weren’t enacted. Then, in 2018, a government inquiry called for changing, not repealing the ban. And then the pandemic brought action on it to a halt. But signs are looking good…
