As the world of entertainment evolves with new styles and art forms, the old trends gradually disappear. However, it’s good to know that some people passionately preserve the old sensations. In the 1940s, the boogie-woogie dance style, a European interpretation of swing dancing, became the focus of social gatherings. While still popular, it is hardly recognized as a competitive art form. But German couple Dietmar and Nellia Ehrentraut (@nelliaswing) live on as the standard bearers of boogie-woogie, showing the world that age doesn’t matter when it comes to dancing.

For more than four decades, the Ehrentrauts danced their hearts out to rock and roll music and showed off their swing moves at various competitions, according to their website. Nellia often shared some of her memories on Instagram from various dance tournaments and parties where the adorable couple can be seen grooving eagerly. Their passion for swing dancing has never died and they still rock the stage with the same exuberance. But little did they expect that they would become an internet sensation at this age when a video of the couple at a dance tournament in Landshut, Bavaria in 2017 went viral. In the video, the couple can be seen dancing to the song “Down the Road Apiece” by Johan Blohm and The Refreshments. The crowd cheers the duo with great enthusiasm as Dietmar and Nellia show off their moves with the zeal of two 20-year-olds.

Austrian-born Dietmar and his wife currently live in the quiet town of Durmersheim in Baden-Württemberg, where they actively offer dance workshops and classes. Speaking about their joyful dance journey, Nellia spoke to Mirror: “We just enjoyed the music and wanted to see old friends again. This dance has become an integral part of our lives. We discovered the 1950s music scene and found likeminded people at concerts and festivals.” On reaching millions of hearts with the 2017 video, Dietmar mentioned: “We are quite stunned by what the video set in motion. I hadn’t even seen anyone filming us.” The duo’s video currently has over 17 million views on YouTube with more than 3,000 comments.

Just like the audience at the competition, people online were thrilled to watch the couple defy their age and put on a great performance. “I cried after less than 10 seconds of dancing! They are so sweet and really know how to dance! This makes me so nostalgic for a time I never lived in. How beautiful!” commented @misanthrope. “I am much younger than these guys and the last time I pulled off moves like that I fell down the stairs drunk. I so hope you guys are still dancing. You guys are amazing,” joked @davebarrow8277. “Beautiful! Just what I needed to cheer me up. Amazing performance. What energy and stamina to still do that! I danced like them in my younger years in my 50s but now I find it harder to just walk. I wish I could dance like that now in my 70’s but everything is falling apart. Wishing them all God’s blessings, good health and happiness together and help us all to appreciate life no matter what age we live. HIGH 5!” wrote @AngelCatBaby.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on December 13, 2023. It has since been updated.