Bailar un Trompo: the Dancing Spinning Top

Join us as we explore traditional Paraguayan games and master tricks with the spinning top.

This event is organised in partnership with the Embassy of Paraguay.

The workshop will be conducted in Spanish with Russian translation.

Suitable for adults and children aged 10 and above. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Each participant, including children, requires individual registration. Walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability.

To register, please email international@ges-2.org with the number of tickets required, your child’s age, and how you heard about the event.

“The dancing spinning top” (bailar un trompo) is a Paraguayan expression used when a top is launched with expertise: spinning for a long time, smoothly and beautifully—as if dancing!

Iluustration: Tasya Kozlova

In many Latin American countries, this activity is not merely a pastime but almost an art form. Children organise proper competitions to see who can make the top “dance” on their palm, keep it spinning the longest, or manage to knock over an opponent’s toy. The crafting of wooden spinning tops remains an important part of artisanal tradition and cultural heritage.

At this event, we will explore traditional Paraguayan games—particularly the history and mechanics of launching the Paraguayan spinning top (trompo)—while developing dexterity and coordination. Come to our workshop to learn basic techniques from a passionate master of the game, invent your own tricks, and transform play into a genuine dance.

Hosts

Richard Gamarra—First Secretary and Head of the Cultural Section at the Embassy of Paraguay in the Russian Federation.

William Bonifacio II Dias Bertolini—An international instructor from Paraguay with over 20 years of experience. Passionate about promoting his country’s cultural heritage, he invites children and adults to discover the history and technique of the spinning top—a traditional game that has entertained many generations.