Ukrainian folk dance
Ukrainian folk dance is the dance tradition of Ukraine's regions, long danced at weddings, feasts and village evenings. In studios it is usually taught as stage-folk dance: folk steps and figures arranged for the stage and trained with a barre, much as in ballet. The best-known dances are the hopak, with its jumps and turns, and the quick kolomyika from the west of Ukraine.
What it is for
Section titled “What it is for”- Learning a living tradition: each region — the Carpathians, Bukovyna, Podillia, Poltava region, Polissia and others — has its own rhythm, steps, music and way of holding hands.
- Strong legs, stamina and an upright posture.
- Coordination, rhythm and precise footwork, including stamps and heel work.
- Dancing together: much of it is done in lines, circles and pairs, where the group moves as one.
- The stage: many studios have a group that performs at concerts and festivals.
Equipment
Section titled “Equipment”- Fitted clothes. For women, a long, wide rehearsal skirt — work with the skirt is part of the dance.
- Character shoes (dance shoes with a firm, low heel and a strap), or soft boots for men. For the first classes, flat shoes with a smooth sole are usually fine; ask the studio.
- Costumes — embroidered shirts and regional dress — are for performances, and studios with a stage group usually arrange them.
- Water and a small towel.
How a class goes
Section titled “How a class goes”- 60–90 minutes. Children and adults train in separate groups, usually split by level.
- It starts at the barre with folk accents: bends of the knees, heel-and-toe work, stamps and leg swings.
- In the centre: posture, the positions of the arms and hands, and the basic steps — running and travelling steps, stamps, turns.
- Jumps and prysiadky (deep squats with kicks, usually danced by men) come as the group grows stronger.
- Then a regional dance or part of a choreography, in lines, circles or pairs, and stretching at the end.
- A first class covers posture, the arms and a few basic steps; nobody jumps a hopak on day one.
Who it suits best
Section titled “Who it suits best”- Children and adults, including complete beginners — the steps are built up slowly.
- Ukrainians at home and abroad who want to keep close to their culture, and anybody curious about it.
- People who like set choreography, group work and performing.
- Dancers of other styles who want stronger legs, cleaner footwork and stage presence.
- It is less suited to somebody who prefers free improvisation. Jumps, stamps and squats load the knees, ankles and back; with problems there, ask a doctor and tell the teacher.