Collective Project made by students of group 402 Dasha Khrapova and Nastya Savicheva Teacher: L.Vitvitska Kherson College of Economy, Journalism and Law 2012 Ukrainian National Dances

1.Introduction 2.History of the dances 3.Popularity 4. Attitude toward folk dances

 Dance is an art form in which the artistic image is created by means of rhythmical plastic movements and changing of expressive positions of a human body. Dance is inseparably linked with the music which is emotionally-shaped and connected with content of the dance

Ukrainian folk dances always captivated audience with their beauty and simplicity. They are quite lyrical and fiery and are well-known and honored through over the world.

Ukraine is a big country, and each of the territorial area has ​​ its own typical folk dances. Eastern Ukraine is close to Russian cultural heritage, Central is of more distinctive "Cossack" culture, and Western Ukraine has its own bright character. These zones differ in tempo of dance, typical steps and jumps. Today, Ukrainian folk art can be divided into five zones according to their ethnographic characteristics and distinctive features. The first zone is Central Ukraine. Culture of this area is very rich in dances. Сulture of neighboring Russia, Hungary, Belarus, Poland had great influence on the local dance culture formation. The second zone is Polissia. Dances of this zone are remarkable with small cautious jumping steps. They were influenced by Polish and Belarus culture.

The third zone is the country outskirts. Theme dances of this area are mainly a game and work. Among popular dances there are such as "Marina", "Romance," "Nicholas", which are built on relationships between participants and the game element. They have many common things with ceremonial dances. The fourth zone is the Carpathians. Culture of this area, including dances is formed by large and small nations, including the Hutsuls, Bukovintsy,Stanislavtsy, Verhovintsy etc. Fifth zone is the Crimea. Its culture is influenceed by Tatar culture. The most popular dance in this region is Kherson hopak. Thus, we see that the dances of old Ukraine, as well as any other art form, reflect the history and life of the Ukrainian nation, all its joys and sorrows.

In Ukraine, there are three main types of dances: Hopak, Groom and Kolomyyka. The most common and well known is, of course, Hopak. Probably everyone at least once have heard this name.It is danced of course, in traditional cotume. Hopak is very energetic. For main movements of this dance Cossack guys use swords. And it is not surprising, because the first time it appeared in the Cossack settlements in Zaporizhzhya Sich it was simply a military exercise.

Hopak is one of the most beloved and world-famous Ukrainian dance. The dance involves boys dancing energetically, abruptly, and girls who are moving kindly and gently. The most popular version of the dance involves seven people: five boys and two girls. Folk costume are required. Girls wear wide skirts with a national ornament and woven ribbons in their hair, young men wear baggy trousers and white shirt.

 Groom is equally well known and loved. It is very lively and cheerful dance with unexpected movements, which is performed in pairs. Groom is danced to music of Polish composer, lutenist S. Dusyatsky. What is particularly nice, Groom often appeared in the French ballet, and after appearing in Paris and Russia it became very popular.

Kolomyyka - a Ukrainian Carpathian dance. Time of its occurrence is unknown. But it is believed that it appeared in Colomiya, Ivano-Frankivsk region. At first it was just this city dance, but soon it became very popular in the neighboring towns of Colomiya and then across Ukraine.

Folk dances represents rich and distinctive culture of our people. And even now, at the time of Internet technology, when most young people can use the monitor all day round yet there are people who are able to understand the beauty of our ancestors’ culture.

Culture of your native land need to be known. It does not matter who you are and what you do: sell air conditioners, or write articles - it is important to remember where you come from. National culture will never be forgotten, if you remember about your family traditions, which include folk songs and dances. In addition, they are extremely beautiful, in fact they transmit those emotions and the most important things in life that people have always believed : love and hate, happiness and sadness. Unique spirit of the fiery, fast rhythm that will leave no one indifferent are wonderful. After all, even abroad, they are among the most beautiful and favourite, so why don’t try to learn culture of your native land, and don’t try to dance them yourself as a real beautiful Ukrainian girl or strong Ukrainian guy,?

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