Floricică Oltenească is a chain folk dance choreographed for performance by the Romanian State Folk Ensemble in the 1960s. It was taught widely by Mihai David, who was once a member of the ensemble. Although this is not a dance you would find in Romania being danced by the “folk,” it is very popular with international folk dancing groups around the world—especially Nort America—and has become something of a rite of passage for achieving folk dance “greatness.” The dance is in two sections or parts (depending on the dance notes author’s choice). The first of these is actually fairly easy to follow. In the second section, there are three figures that will challenge you… These are known as virtuoso figures as used by Romanian Călușari—members of a fraternal secret society who practiced virtuosic, acrobatic dances used for healing and other ritual purposes. The teaching section has a video breaking down those figures.
| Dance Name: | Floricică Oltenească |
| Pronunciation: | floh-rih-CHEE-kuh ohl-teh-NEAHS-kah |
| Translation: | Little flower from Oltenia |
| Related To: | Sârba (Sîrba) |
| Country of Origin: | Romania |
| Region: | Oltenia |
| Choreographer: | Romanian State Folk Ensemble |
| Presented in USA: | Mihai David |
| Year: | 1960s |
| Dance Type: | Non-Partner | Circle/Chain |
| Dance Category: | Performance |
| Native Presence: | Dance Groups (historic) |
| Skill Level: | Advanced |
| Energy Intensity: | Lively |
| Tune: | “Floricica oltenească și Jocul bătuta” Note: Titled “The Lark” on folk dance records, but it’s not the famous Romanian folk tune by that name |
| Recording: | Ion Constantinescu: “Jew’s harp” (drâmbă) Marin Cotoanță: folk lute (cobză) |
| Time Signature: | 2/4 (dance notes in 4) |
| Dancer Formation: | Open Circle |
| Hand Hold: | T-pos Shoulder Hold |
| Leads to: | R w/ R |
| Styling: | somewhat a ballet-quality; stamps are slightly fwd w/o weight |
| Date Taught: | 1/13/2026 |
| Teacher: | Sallie |
| Published: | January 11, 2026 |
| Updated: | January 18, 2026 |
Floricică
The term floricică (little flower) actually refers to a genre of dances in the Romanian Oltenia region and neighboring Muntenia region. The dance doesn’t have much to do with flowers; In Oltenia, naming dances after plants and animals is just a thing they do. Researchers have described many dances by the name “Floricică,” ranging from simple village dances for all the folk to ones more complex, such as this creation, for the Călușari. Don over at Folkdance Footnotes speculates that Floricică Oltenească represents a “best of” collection from the Oltenia region rather than something representing a specific village. Check out Don’s page for more info and check out Dick Oakes’ dance notes for his take on the region and music.
The Music: “Floricica oltenească și Jocul bătuta”
“Little flower from Oltenea & stamping dance.” The performers are Ion Constantinescu: “Jew’s harp” (drâmbă) and Marin Cotoanță: folk lute (cobză). The tune appeared on the Electrecord – EPE 0107 LP compilation Muzică Populară Din Oltenia Și Muntenia in Romania, 1963. Folk dance notes list “The Lark” as the title on folk dance records, but it’s not the famous Romanian folk tune by that name “Ciocârlia” (“The [sky]lark”).
Dancing Examples with Mihai David
Other IFD Dancing Examples
Teaching Examples
Steps: Part II “Pinta de Căluș”
This is a breakdown of the “showoff” section, only to be attempted by virtuosos…and you, with lots of practice!
— UNDER CONTRUCTION —
| Bar 4/4 | Count | Cue | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition: | Pinta de Căluș (PDC) Step | ||
| 1 | P | Jump on both feet apart, shoulder width | |
| & | D | Touch/click ankles together in the air, under body | |
| 2 | C | Land on L foot, knee bent | |
| & | do something with R | ||
| Figure 2 | In-Place, Facing Center | ||
| 1 | 1, &, 2 | PDC | Pinta de Căluș |
| & | Touch | Touch R ball behind L | |
| 3 | Leap | Leap onto R w/ knee bent, extending L forward | |
| & | Slap | Slap L foot forward with flat foot and extended leg | |
| 4 | Hop | Hop on R w/ bent knee | |
| & | Slap | Slap L to diagonal L | |
| 2 | 1 | Pas– | Step on L to L |
| & | de– | Cross R on ball over L | |
| a | basque | Step back on L in place | |
| 2 | Pas– | Step on R to R | |
| & | de– | Cross L on ball over R | |
| a | basque | Step back on R in place | |
| 3, &, 4 | PDC | Pinta de Căluș | |
| & | Slap | Slap R foot forward | |
| Figure 3 | Travel Into Center | ||
| 1 |