Dance

 Dance is a type of art that requires movement of the body, rhythmically to music. Dance is expressive, and can relate to nonverbal communication.  Gymnastics, figure skating and synchronized swimming are activities that can be related to dance, while martial arts kata is often compared to dancing.  Dance has many purposes and can embody or express ideas, emotions or tell a story. Some of the many styles of dance are; breakdancing, hip hop, tap, jazz, are more modern while ballet, ballroom, waltz, and tango are classical styles of dance. Square dance and the electric slide are forms of step dances while African dance is interpertive. But I've always admired cultural dancing. It represents a certain culture and it's history.

Ukrainian folk dancing is a traditional dance with charecteristic movements that represent the culture of the country Ukraine. This style of dancing is often fast and entertaining and regognized as well as the traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs (pysanky). 

This is a Ukrainian welcome dance called  Pryvit. Colorful!

Research done on Ukrainian cultural dance proves that dance has been in Ukraine since at least  the third millennium BC. When Ukarainian immigrants settled in Canada, they also brought their culture, their history, and their dances. Many dances survived the trip to America and are now practiced often. The Ukrainians are proud of their culture and continue their religon. In Saskatoon, the traditions of the Ukrainian dance styles continue in the Ukrainian Pavilion at folkfest each August.

This is a called a Central Ukrainian or Kozak dance. Central Ukrainian or Kozak dances represent the culture of Ukrainian Kozaks, Polvata, and other Central Ukrainian lands. The men's costumes are of the Kozak styles, with boots, a comfortable shirt, a sash aound the waist, and loose trousers. The women's costumes are; and embroidered blouse, a colorful skirt with intricate patterns, and they wear a headpiece with flowers and ribbons on it. Even though Kozak dances is only a portion to the Ukrainian culture, it plays an inportant role, and the Ukrainians still keep thsi dance alive today.

 Hutsul Dances represent the culture of Hutsulshchyna. This type of Ukrainian dance is well rocognized because the dancers wear leather moccasins called postoly and decorated vests called keptari. The slight differences between Kozak dances and Hutsul dances are; men's pants are not as loose and flowing as the men's pants in Kozak dances, and women wear a skirt consisted of a front and back panels tied at the waist. The traditional colors are orange, brown, green, and yellow embroidery. Hutsul dances are famous for being very lively and energenic with swift vertical movements.

Bukovynian dances represents the culture of the Ukraine region Bukovyna. The music and dance moves represents the political history of Bukovyna. When performing the Bukovynian dance, both men and women perform a variety of foot-stamps. The girls' headpieces usually have either wheat stalks, or ostrich feathers. On the blouses and shirts, the embroidery is stitched with dark threads, and womens' skirts sometimes have 2 layers, with just the first layer open at the front. 

Volyn' dances are originated from the north-west region Volyn' in Ukraine. The costumes for this dance is bright and vibrant, with dance steps that have lively arms, and energetic jumping around. This dance style is similar to Poland cultural dancing, because Volyn' is very close to Poland.

Ukrainian dancing still continues today, with the new generations still being taught the traditions of Ukrainian dance. In Saskatoon, in mid-August, at the Ukraine folkfest pavilion, you can still enjoy the culture of Ukrainian dancing. Watch them show their pride in their Ukrainian culture.Cultural dancing is important, because it's part of keeping a culture or religion alive.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_dance
http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/pages%5CF%5CO%5CFolkdance.htm
Images from Google and Wikipedia