Primary schools from across Cambridgeshire are about to start workshops with Cambridgeshire Roots, a new multicultural dance and traditions project.

Through a project that will bring history to life through real learning, involvement and research, each of the 14 schools will learn about three different cultures, including the local traditions of the Fens compared with other cultures.

Taking inspiration from the traditional Fenland dance, the Molly Dance, pupils will learn dance movements in readiness for performances at the end of term. Through this creative process, the young people will learn about the traditions that inspired each of the dances, combining local history and stories, many of them based on the agricultural traditions before the First World War.

Pupils will also learn about West African agricultural customs, dance and art; Indian seasonal dance; and Polish dance and historical links between these traditions.

The project is funded by £124,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cambridgeshire County Council, and a contribution from the schools themselves.

Workshops begin in May 2008, and will culminate in a festival in July 2009, when all the participating schools will be invited to perform.

The schools taking part in the project are:

St Peter's Junior School in Wisbech,
Millfield Primary School in Littleport,
Stretham Primary School,
Manea Primary School,
Alderman Jacobs Primary School in Whittlesey, Ramsey Junior School,
All Saints Primary School in March,
Glebelands Primary School in Chatteris,
Beaupre Primary School in Outwell,
St Andrews Primary School in Soham,
St John's Primary School in Huntingdon,
Bushmead Primary School in Eaton Socon,
Benwick Primary School
and Lionel Walden Primary School in Doddington.