Hopak
is not the only Ukrainian Dance.

Archeological finds show that Ukrainian dance takes its roots from the Pre-Christian pagan rituals of the Slavic tribes which inhabited the lands of Kievan Rus'. The main occupation of our ancestors was agriculture. It was vitally important for them to get along well with nature and the numerous Pagan gods and goddess.

That's why since at least the 3rd millennium BC music and ritual dances have been served for the Slavic tribes as a very important form of communication. For centuries these "Christianized" seasonal ritual dances people used in order to ask their gods to be kind to them.

At some villages even today you can watch the Spring Dances, or Vesnianky. Ivana Kupala Day - the day of summer solstice - is one of the most spiritual East Slavic holidays. Its ritual songs and dances inspire modern Ukrainian choreographers and remain a favorite theme for their creative work.

Another type of Ukrainian dance is the story dance. The dancers entertain their audience telling some stories through movements about particular professions, social groups, funny situations, and etc. Here are a few examples of the story dances: "Shevchiky" ("The Shoemakers"), "Kovaly"("The Blacksmiths"), and "Kosary" ("The Reapers").

Perhaps the most numerous of the Ukrainian folklore dances is a social dances group. The main feature of the social dances is improvisation. You will never be able to watch the same dance.

Many Ukraine's regions have their own style of dance, form of dress, and music: Central Ukrainian or Cossack Dance, Hutsul, Transcarpathian, Boiko, Bukovynian, Volinian Dances. Each performance is different.

The Cossack dance "Hopak" (gopak) is the most well-known among them. Its name originated from the Ukrainian verb "hopaty" (to jump). Hopak is mainly men's dance. It is energetic, physically demanding, requires good acrobatic skills and energy. You are not able to sit still while watching this Ukrainian dance. Let's check. Here are two short video clips courtesy of YouTube.

Today, the Ukrainian dance hopak became a base for the new type of the Cossack martial art- Boyoviy Hopak. This idea was brought by Vladimir Pylat in 1985. He believes that hopak used to be a kind of Cossack's physical training.

Not all Ukrainian scientists support his claim. But everybody is sure that a hopak-based Ukrainian martial art is a good way to bring up a generation of patriotic, brave and strong young people. It looks like they are right. Ukrainian youth is ready to absorb the spirit and knowledge of their glorious ancestors.

Let's watch their training.

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