Talking about the national characteristics of the country (in our case, Ukraine), it is impossible to ignore Ukrainian folk dances. Why? The thing is that this phenomenon is actually the most unique.
Looking at the fervently dancing men and women, he involuntarily becomes infected with their energy and positive emotions. And this, perhaps, is not surprising, because even the music for Ukrainian folk dances is selected special - funny, fiery and, as they say, with a twinkle! That is why this part of folk traditions and ceremonies has long been the subject of close attention from leading ethnographers around the world.
This article aims to familiarize the reader with the culture and rites of the neighboring state. Indeed, as practice shows, if hopak - a Ukrainian folk dance with a rich history - can still be considered more or less famous, then many readers have not even heard of the rest. Let's fix this annoying injustice!
Section 1. Ukrainian folk art
Throughout the world, the folk art of this state, among which Ukrainian folk dances are a very important link, is one of the most striking.
Let’s explain why. The thing is that the country's national dance is rooted in the distant, one might even say ancient, past. It developed along with the history of the Ukrainian people and the country as a whole, and is composed of the results of the centuries-old formation of a national identity that is categorically different from that of all other peoples of the planet.
Ukraine is a country with a relatively large territory, so each individual region has its own characteristics and traditions, which are also manifested in the performance of folk dances.
Whatever part of the state fate brings you to, try not to miss the occasional public festivities. Almost all parts of Ukraine perform dances that differ in their own pace and rhythms, especially in steps, penetrations and jumps.
For example, in the eastern regions bordering Russia, folk Ukrainian dances absorbed elements of the cultural heritage of a neighboring country. The central part of the state expresses its identity in the movements, and Western Ukraine boasts a colorful "Cossack" culture.
Section 2. What do they mean?
Ukrainian folk dances, the names of which can be found in almost every guidebook devoted to the ethnic group of the local population, combine incredible harmony, emotional oversaturation and folklore eternity. But that is not all. Each of them brings to their culture something of their own, some unique zest. For example, the Ukrainian folk dance “Cossack” even perpetuated the glory of the heroes of the nation - Zaporozhye Cossacks with its name.
Despite the fact that there are no clearly defined rules in the Cossack, nevertheless, according to tradition, it is danced in pairs, with special fun and improvisation.
Over many centuries, talented musicians have made many changes and varieties to the original melody “Cossack”, but the dance still has its charming rhythm, unusual tact, beautiful and accurate sounds.
It should be noted that “Cossack” is, without any doubt, an action with a strong patriotic character.
By the way, the same can be said about the second folk dance - the hopak, which consists of bizarre movements and a production that is unusual for the inhabitants of other countries, which Ukrainians seem to smell naturally. They know how to dance in order to merge with the melody into one whole.
Folk Ukrainian dances contain the emotions and experiences of many generations of an entire nation. They reflect the soul of the people, their excitement, victory, defeat, achievement, humor and tragedy. The whole world recognizes Ukrainian folklore by its bright national color, passionate passion, climax breakthroughs, gentle currents, fortitude, originality of movements, rhythm and melody.
The population of this country is proud of its heroic past and present, which is why even in the modern world of scientific and technological progress, a circle called "Ukrainian folk dances for children" is almost the most popular among young people. Kids and adolescents enjoy learning the basics and wisdom of this type of national culture.
Section 3. Dance as part of the country
Having gone deep into history, you can learn that, in general, folk dances in Ukraine developed under the influence of ancient Slavic pagan traditions, the culture of neighboring countries, the victories and defeats of the people and the innate musicality of the nation. The most ancient types of dances have come down to us - ritual.
Even now, many ancient regions of the country, according to ancient tradition, celebrate spring holidays with songs, oysters and May round dances, “pickles,” which resemble a wreath with a tangle of brightly colorful flowers.
The cultural wealth of Ukraine is folk dances with regional differences: tropaki, gopaki, snowstorms, Cossack women, kolyomyki, and in the west - polka, quadrille, gutsulki and waltzes.
The manner of their performance is very different in each region: for example, in Polesie the dance steps are frequent with a jump, and free and wide movements prevail in the steppe regions.
Section 4. Dance outfits of Ukrainians
The culture of the Ukrainian people, which has developed over many centuries, is represented by songs, dances, customs and clothes.
Folk dances, distinguished by their originality and originality, are always performed in national clothes. For girls, such a robe was a long white shirt, on the sleeves, hem and collar, generously embroidered by hand with rich patterns made with a cross or stitch. Ukrainian women always wore skirts over the shirt. A mandatory element in the festive national costume of women was bright red beads. The girl’s head was to be decorated with a bright beautiful wreath with flowing multi-colored ribbons reaching to the waist.
The men's national costume is represented by wide red harem pants, belted with long and wide sash belts, wrapped at the waist several times, and a white shirt. A pointed astrakhan hat should have flaunted on his head.
The legs of both women and men were shod in red boots.
Today, Ukrainian children's folk dances are always performed in traditional costumes. Sometimes children get shirts embroidered by mothers, grandmothers, or even great-grandmothers. Such items of clothing are valued and often passed down from generation to generation.
Section 5. Hopak - Ukrainian folk dance and a symbol of the state
The most famous dance of the Ukrainian people, born during the time of the Zaporizhzhya Sich - hopak - was originally danced only by male warriors. Today, it is considered a unique authentic form of martial art, but even women can dance it.
As a rule, hopak is performed by young men - with great dexterity and lightness, courageously and temperamentally. Girls must move lyrically, cheerfully, softly and modestly.
Ideally, five young men and only two girls dance to the hopak with a moderately fast pace of performance.
Section 6. How does a Cossack dance, and what is the history of this dance?
Cossack is a folk dance of Ukraine of a lively general mood, fervent, peppy and cheerful, very similar to hopak, but differs in fewer acrobatic elements and lyrical character. The main movements are the throwing of legs forward in turn from a sitting position and squatting.
The first musical treatment of the dance was made by the Polish composer S. Dusyatsky at the beginning of the 17th century, and in Russian manuscripts the melody of the Cossack dates from the second half. XVIII century. The Cossack gained particular popularity in the 1820s, after which he began to appear in French ballets.
Section 7. Features of execution
Kolomyiks are called Ukrainian folk Carpathian dances and dance songs. Unfortunately, the exact time of the dance is not known, but its deposit is considered to be a Ukrainian town in the Ivano-Frankivsk region called Kolomyia.
Kolomyyka gained its special popularity in the middle of the 19th century. The verses of such songs are composed of two lines with 14 syllables each. By the way, not everyone knows that the anthem of Ukraine is written in the same order.
Section 8. Snowstorm as part of festivities
An obligatory part of Ukrainian folk winter festivities is the fast play dance “Snowstorm”, which is distinguished by its diverse circles and rapid change of figures.
Dancers must constantly circle in a rapid round dance, reminiscent of a blizzard, under the universal singing.
The whole round dance is built on literally several movements, among which the main couple carries away all the dancers, either the so-called figure-eight, now in a circle, then a snail.
Section 9. Swift Tank
Ukrainian ritual folk mass dance “Tank” is a kind of round dance with songs and elements of the game.
In principle, Ukrainians call any folk dance a tank. As a rule, they were performed accompanied by the songs of the dancers themselves, on the festive dates of the national calendar.
Such actions are characterized by linear movements “opposite each other”.