The Grüne Funken Oberelspe, founded in 2007, are a vibrant dance group from the village of Oberelspe in Germany’s Sauerland region. With around 800 residents, this close-knit community lies just 1.5 hours from Cologne — one of the country’s most renowned carnival centres. As part of the local sports club, the group is deeply rooted in community life.
Today, the group includes 22 members aged 21–29. Their performances combine two styles: traditional guard dance and creative show dance. Guard dance, a key element of German carnival, demands precision, strength and synchronisation, paired with distinctive traditional costumes. In contrast, show dance allows for storytelling, themed choreography and creative expression.
Training takes place weekly throughout the year, building towards the carnival season (November–February), where the group performs up to 15 times with new routines each year.
More than a dance group, they are a strong, committed team — celebrating culture, community and the joy of performing together, while representing their region on an international stage.
