THE SWISS police have flown the Irish tricolour from a federal building to congratulate Gardaí on their performance in a viral dance challenge.
Last month, police in Switzerland challenged their colleagues in Ireland to a dance-off as part of the global #Jerusalema Dance Challenge which has gone viral on social media-- and it's safe to say the Gardaí rose to the challenge.
In a video posted to social media yesterday, dozens of uniformed Gardaí across Ireland danced along to the popular song without putting a foot out of step, dancing on beaches, rooftops, roads and under the shadows of mountains, with Garda horses even making an appearance.
We have stepped up to the Swiss police @fedpolCH #JerusalemaChallenge. Gardaí across Ireland answered the call to give the public we serve a lift in these challenging times. #StayTogether #homeStaySafe pic.twitter.com/sbLdkk54hB
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) February 2, 2021
The Garda dance has gone viral worldwide, having been watched well over a million times, and the Swiss police have congratulated them on 'absolutely nailing' the challenge.
Fedpol took to Twitter to share a new video, which saw uniformed officers taking a heavily guarded briefcase through their Police headquarters-- the briefcase was revealed to contain an Irish tricolour, which was hung proudly on the building.
Well, our colleagues @ZugerPolizei took the #jerusalemachallenge to a whole new level. But @gardainfo absolutely nailed it! 💃🕺🐎 In honour to this brilliant performance, we are all 🇮🇪 in 🇨🇭 today. Thank you @gardainfo for moments of pure joy! #StayhomeStaysafe #inthistogether https://t.co/EkSDQCOXQ2 pic.twitter.com/1kY7KpFclj
— fedpol (@fedpolCH) February 3, 2021
In a congratulatory message, Fedpol said the Swiss Police took the Jerusalema challenge to "a whole new level", but the Gardaí "absolutely nailed it!"
"In honour to this brilliant performance, we are all [Irish] in [Switzerland] today."
Upon the release of the Garda video, a spokesperson said "Gardaí across Ireland answered the call to give the public we serve a lift in these challenging times".
This seems to have had the desired effect, as the Swiss Police went on to thank the Gardaí for "moments of pure joy".
Gardaí involved have now asked the public to showcase their own dancing skills, challenging the citizens of Ireland rather than a new police force.
To get involved, create your own dance video-- while staying at home and in your household or bubbles-- and upload the video to social media using the hashtag #GardaJerusalema.
