Instead of heading to a gym or chomping a sandwich at their desks, workers in around a dozen Swedish cities are joining a new “Lunchbeat” trend.
Organisers say the not-for-profit parties, which start at 12pm on the dot and finish at 1pm, increase productivity in the afternoon.
Maria Reihs, who runs the lunchtime party in Malmo, says: “It’s a dance revolution. When you come here, and you get to dance with other people and you focus on the music, you get new energy, and when you come back to work, you are more creative and more happy.
“When you go to the gym you focus on yourself; here at Lunchbeat, you meet other people and it’s good vibrations.”
Lunchbeat events began in 2010, when 14 friends decided to spend their lunchbreaks dancing in their office garage.
The underground movement spread as more people heard about the phenomenon, which now attracts up to 600 people each time.
The events can be organized by anyone as long as they’re not making a profit, the 60-minute DJ sets take place at lunchtime and they include a takeaway meal.
The Sweedish Language Council officially recognized “lunch disco” as a new term in 2011.
Alva Mejstad, who goes to the parties in Malmo, enthused about the huge spectrum of people at the events: “There are the ones with kids who don’t necessarily have the opportunity to go out at the weekend.
“I just love dancing. For me, it’s a good thing that you can just go out and not get drunk and just do it for an hour.”
