Folk Ukrainian dances. Hopak - Ukrainian folk dance

Talking about the national peculiarities of the country (in our case - Ukraine), it is impossible to ignore folk Ukrainian dances. Why? The thing is that this phenomenon is really unique.

Looking at the playfully dancing men and women, you involuntarily get infected with their energy and positive emotions. And in this, perhaps, there is nothing surprising, because even the music for Ukrainian folk dances is chosen a special - cheerful, incendiary and, as they say, with a spark! That is why this part of the national traditions and rites has long been the object of close attention from leading ethnographers around the world.

This article is aimed at acquaint the reader with the culture and rituals of the neighboring state. After all, as practice shows, if the hopak - Ukrainian folk dance with a rich history - can still be considered more or less known, then many readers have not even heard about the rest. Let us correct this unfortunate injustice!

Section 1. Ukrainian folk art

Throughout the world, the national creativity of this state, among which the folk Ukrainian dances are very important, is one of the most striking.

Let's explain why. The thing is that the national dance of the country goes back to the distant past, one might even say ancient. It developed along with the history of the Ukrainian people and the country as a whole, is made up of the results of centuries-old development of the national identity, which is categorically different from that of all other nations of the planet.

Ukraine is a country with a relatively large territory, therefore each region has its own peculiar features and traditions, which are also manifested in the performance of folk dances.

In whatever part of the state your destiny has brought you, try not to miss periodically organized folk festivities. Virtually all parts of Ukraine perform dances, differing in their own pace and rhythms, peculiarities of steps, rides and jumps.

For example, in the eastern regions bordering Russia, folk Ukrainian dances absorbed elements of the cultural heritage of the neighboring country. The central part of the state in the movements expresses its originality, and Western Ukraine can boast a colorful "Cossack" culture.

Section 2. What do they mean?

Ukrainian folk dances, whose names can be found in almost every guidebook dedicated to the ethnos of the local population, combine incredible harmony, emotional oversaturation and folklore eternity. But that's not all. Everyone brings from them into the culture something of their own, some kind of unique zest. For example, the Ukrainian folk dance "Kazachok" even perpetuated the glory of the heroes of the nation - the Zaporozhye Cossacks.

Despite the fact that there are no clearly defined rules in "Kazachka", nevertheless, by tradition, it is danced in pairs, with special fun and improvisation.

Talented musicians for many centuries have made a lot of changes and variety in the original melody "Kazachka", but in the dance still remained his charming rhythm, the unusual tact, beautiful and accurate sounds.

It should be noted that "Kazachok" 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, consisting of bizarre movements and unusual for the inhabitants of other countries of the production, which Ukrainians seem to feel like a nature. They know how to dance to merge with a melody into one.

Folk Ukrainian dances store in themselves emotions and experiences of many generations of the whole nation. They reflect the soul of the people, their unrest, victories, defeats, achievements, humor and tragedy. The whole world recognizes Ukrainian folk art in bright national color, passionate passion, culminating in breakthroughs, gentle currents, strength of spirit, uniqueness 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, the circle called "Ukrainian folk dances for children" is almost the most popular among young people. Kids and teenagers are happy to learn the basics and wisdom of this kind of national culture.

Section 3. Dance as part of the country

Deep into the history, you can learn that in general, folk dances in Ukraine developed under the influence of the ancient Slavic pagan traditions, the culture of neighboring countries, the victories and defeats of the people and the innate musicality of the nation. We have reached and the most ancient types of dances - ceremonial.

Even now, many regions of the country, according to an ancient tradition, celebrate spring holidays with songs, springs and May dances, which are reminiscent of a wreath with the intricacies of brightly colored flowers.

Cultural wealth of Ukraine is made up of folk dances with regional differences: tropaks, hopakas, snowstorms, Cossacks, kolomimki, and in the west - polka, quadrille, gutsulki and waltzes.

The manner of their execution is very different in each region: for example, on Polesie dance steps are frequent with a jump, and in the steppe regions free and wide movements prevail.

Section 4. Dance dresses of Ukrainians

The culture of the Ukrainian people, developed for many centuries, is represented by songs, dances, customs and clothes.

Folk dances, distinguished by their originality and originality, are always performed in national dress. For girls, this garment was a white long shirt, on sleeves, hem and collar generously embroidered by hand with rich patterns, made with a cross or smoothness. Over the shirt Ukrainian women always wear skirts - plakhty. An obligatory element in the festive national costume of women were bright red beads. The head of the girl was to be decorated with a bright beautiful wreath with flowing multicolored ribbons reaching to the waist.

The male national costume is represented by wide red trousers, belted with long and wide sash-belts, wrapped on the waist a few times, and a white shirt. On his head was to adorn a pointed scribble cap.

The legs of both women and men were shod in red boots.

To date, Ukrainian children's folk dances are always performed in traditional costumes. Sometimes children get shirts embroidered by mothers, grandmothers or even great-grandmothers. These elements of clothing are valued and often passed down from generation to generation.

Section 5. Hopak - Ukrainian folk dance and symbol of the state

The most famous dance of the Ukrainian people, born back in the time of the Zaporozhye Sich - gopak - was originally danced only by male warriors. Today it is considered a unique authentic type of martial art, but even women can dance it.

As a rule, the hopak is performed by young men - with great agility and ease, with courage and temperament. Girls should move lyrically, cheerfully, gently and modestly.

Ideally, five young boys dance together and only two girls dance at a moderately fast pace.

Section 6. How dancing the Cossack, and what is the history of this dance?

Kazachok is a national dance of Ukraine of a living general mood, fervent, cheerful and cheerful, very similar to a hopak, but differs in fewer acrobatic elements and lyrical character. The main movements are the throwing of the legs forward in turn from the sitting position and steps into the squat.

The first musical treatment of the dance was made by Polish composer S. Dusyatsky at the beginning of the 17th century, and in Russian manuscripts the Cossack melody is dated to the second half. XVIII century. Kazachok acquired special popularity in the 1820s, after which he began to appear in French ballets.

Section 7. Features of the chalk

Kolomyukami are Ukrainian folk Carpathian dances and dance songs. Unfortunately, the exact time of the origin of the dance is not known, but its deposit is a Ukrainian town in Ivano-Frankivsk region under the name Kolomyia.

Their special popularity was found in the middle of the 19th century. The verses of such songs are composed of two lines each having 14 syllables each. By the way, not everyone knows that the hymn of Ukraine is written in the same order.

Section 8. Snowstorm as part of the festivities

An indispensable part of the Ukrainian folk winter festivities is the fast dance dance "Metelitsa", featuring a variety of circulations and a rapid change of figures.

Dancers must constantly spin in a swift dance, reminiscent of a blizzard, for universal singing.

The whole dance is built on literally a few movements, among which the main couple carries all dancing with the so-called eight, then in a circle, then a snail.

Section 9. The Swift Tank

The Ukrainian ritual folk dance "Tanok" is a kind of dance with songs and elements of the game.

In principle, Ukrainians have a tank called any folk dance. As a rule, they were performed accompanied by songs of the dancers themselves, on the festive dates of the national calendar.

For such actions linear movements "opposite each other" are characteristic.