Have you ever seen the traditional Ukrainian dance called Hopak?
If you have not, it is a must see dance. The strength, coordination and talent to perform their traditional folk dance is astounding. These dancers serve up some kicks and jumps that will blow you away!
These dancers are only practicing the Hopak dance style. Their talent makes their practicing seem like a professional show. If this is their version of practicing, we cannot even imagine what their full performances are like. It is fun to watch a “behind the scenes” look into these professional dancers having fun and showing off their moves.
If you make sure to watch the dancers in the background too, you will see everyone practicing their dance moves throughout the entire video!
The Ukrainian Hopak folk dance originated, “as a male dance among the Zaporozhian Cossacks but later danced by couples, male soloists, and mixed groups of dancers. In western Ukraine, as the hopak-kolo, it is danced in a closed circle. The hopak has no fixed pattern of steps. Men competitively improvise steps, high leaps, squatting kicks, and turns; women dance simple steps, sway, clap, or circle.”
These dancers are all male and beautifully demonstrate the improvised leaps, kicks, turns and steps.
Every country has a traditional dance that is unique to their country. It is amazing to watch a dance that you might never have seen before but means so much to that specific country. These dancers perform the Hopak with pride because it displays Ukraine’s dance history and they get to represent their country through their performance.
The Hopak is a traditional dance to Ukraine but the Ukrainian Dance Company, performing the Hopak, has a long history within Ukraine as well.
Their Facebook states they are “… a world-renowned Ukrainian dance company based out of Ukraine, well known for its innovative approach to the art form. The ensemble was founded in 1937 by Pavlo Virsky and Mykola Bolotov, and guided by Pavlo Virsky until his death in 1975. During World War II, Virsky performed for the soldiers at the front … Virsky’s aim is to create dances that embrace historical Ukrainian dance traditions as well as dances that are innovative and forward-moving.”
The dance company’s founders might have past but the company still lives up to their ideals. The dance company wants to keep their Ukrainian dance roots but move it forward by incorporating new modern dance into their performances. The company has performed throughout the world to amazing reviews.
The different type of style by every dancer is mind blowing.
It almost makes you believe that they are all dancing a different style of dance, even though they are all dancing the Hopak. The Hopak’s spontaneity gives each dancer the ability to showcase so many different moves within the one dance. Just when you think you have seen the best dancer, another amazing dancer will make you question which dancer really is your favorite.
Make sure to wait for the last dancer!
The strength and quickness of his movements are almost unbelievable. How he is able to kick his feet so quickly in the squatting position is pure talent. This last dancer gets everyone clapping along and is the best way to end the dance practice video.
Watch the full video right below.
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