UDW Issue 3

Issue Number 3

UKRAINIAN DANCE WORLD F I N D O U T A B O U T A L L O F T H E B E S T T R A D I T I O N S , E V E N T S , H I S T O R Y, CULT UR E , A ND NE WS IN UK R A INI A N COMMUNI T IE S A ROUND T HE WOR L D

AT THE BARRE We get it to talk to one of the most recognised directors in the Ukrainian community – Virsky’s Myroslav Vantukh COSTUME COMMENTARY An early version of the Polissian costume, in all its glory COSTUMES & COMPETITIONS Dance in Ukraine for FREE! Find out more on page 32

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CONTENTS

10 COS TUME COMMENTARY

In our first edition of Costume Commentary, Yuriy Melnychuk of the Ukrainian Institute of Fashion History takes us piece by piece through a female Polissian costume from the late 19 th – early 20 th centuries and it is fabulous!

ISSUE 3

12 UKR AINIAN C ALENDAR

Festivals, celebrations, and dance camps abound in the spring and summer of 2017.

Make sure you take in the fun and frivolity somewhere in Canada or across the border

March – October 2017

18 TE ACHER TIPS

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Tasha Orysiuk of Edmonton’s Viter Ukrainian Dancers takes us step by step through spotting, why it’s important, and some tips to get your girls – and guys! – turning like the pros

20 THE ORIGINS

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The tryzub is one of Ukraine’s bestknown symbols. It unites the Ukrainian community regardless of age, gender, even language. But where did it come from?

22 S TEP BY S TEP

We pick apart the Hopak – a dance that always brings audiences to their feet.

26 UKR AINE ON C AMER A

What have you been up to these last months?

SPECIAL THANKS TO...

The UDW Team: Danya Pidlisetskaya, Kyrylo Kozachuk, Irina Nalivaiko

4 A FEW WORDS

ON THE COVER A Hutsul hat from the village of Kryvorivna Photo credit: Anna Kondratyuk

6 UK IE NEWS

32 COS TUMES & COMPETITIONS

8 AT THE BARRE

34 UDW LIS TINGS

To place advertising or to request more information about the magazine please write to Editor@UkrainianDanceWorld.com

Vince and Lana share a few thoughts in Issue 3 of UDW The Magazine!

There is love and loss, the release of two incredible films, a dream project, and more

We get up close and personal with Myroslav Vantukh, director of the Virsky National Ensemble of Ukrainian Dance in Kyiv

30 UDW DRY BOK Y

Little bits of wit

Our competitions are up and running for 2017 – send in your pics now to win BIG!

Bringing the best of the Ukrainian community together in one place. Check out our listings page to find the contact you need

UDW The Magazine!

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ISSUE 3 March – October 2017

Are you a Ukrainian-dance-aholic? If the answer is yes, then you are passionate about a culture and art form that has captured the imagination of the world.

There are absolutely thousands of people participating in Ukrainian dance outside of Ukraine. There are those who danced in groups when they were young and now their kids or perhaps even grandkids are carrying on the tradition. It’s a global tradition!

Ukrainian dance is not only something you do, it is often a way of life that can sweep an entire family away. There are competitions that take up months of preparation – driving to rehearsals, meetings, and costume fittings until the final moments come before you step up on stage. To be judged? Perhaps… But also to scream out to the world, “I LOVE UKRAINAN DANCE!!!”

Are these your thoughts? “I love the music, it makes me want to move my feet and puts a smile on my face. All my friends are there and it makes my Baba and Dido proud. I get to travel and see interesting places with my family and friends. Oh and it’s good exercise too.”

What else is great about Ukrainian dance? Well, I think that it builds confidence, teaches discipline, and opens one’s eyes to history and cultural tolerance.

It teaches us how to work together in teams and builds social interaction skills.

Scientific fact – Ukrainian dancers are more awesome than regular civilians. We can jump higher, spin faster, and smile bigger than regular people. It’s ridiculous!

Our magazine and community are dedicated to all aspects of Ukrainian dance and the community that surrounds it.

Thanks for joining us and I hope we can continue to make you proud.

Vincent Rees UDW Creator

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There are so many great things about Ukrainian dance: the costumes, the music, the steps, the chance to perform – A LOT! It’s such a unique and charming art form and one most people the world over are familiar with. In fact, you’re unlikely to come across anyone who hasn’t at some point in their lives seen the big baggy pants, beloved red boots, or billowing ribbons.

Of course, these are the most prevalent pieces of a Ukrainian costume most people know about. But there are yet many more important pieces from the various regions that cover the territory of Ukraine, each with their own significance and beauty.

We’ve introduced a new rubric in the magazine that looks at these different costumes, and we’re kicking it off in this issue with a classic female costume from the region of Polissia from the early 20th century, which is amazing!

A number of your instructors will already be wellversed in many of these beautiful pieces, giving you fabulous choreography to show them off. Now it’s your responsibility dear dancers to do just that.

Ukrainian dance is fun, but it also bears responsibility. The costumes you wear are more than just clothing you dress in for a dance. They are more than a uniform that bands you together with your group. They are an extension of a connection you have with your ancestors – ancestors who would have worn costumes just as beautiful and just as intricate.

You are continuing a tradition long since in existence. Wear with pride.

Lana Nicole Niland UDW Editor

UDW NEWS

BITTER HARVEST CANADIAN RELEASE

It was with bated breath the film Bitter Harvest was finally released to audiences in the UK on 24 February, and will make its Canadian debut on 3 March in Toronto. The film is one critics and pundits on Ukraine have been waiting for for some time, as it delves into a part of history others might prefer to forget – Holodomor, the famine turned genocide of Ukrainians in 1932-33.

Though filmed on location, the story takes on a sort of Hollywood feel as told through the eyes of two young lovers battling the forces that be, struggling to reunite

SIMPLY THE BEST

When Ukrainian Dance World initiated the Instructor of the Year award in 2014, little did we know how much such a title would affect not only the teacher being awarded but the students themselves. In this, our third year, gathering votes and seeing what you dear dancers have to say about your instructors, it is with pleasure we present the 2016 Instructor of the Year award to…

Shane Gibson Sharing his knowledge and love for Ukrainian dance and culture for more than 20 years, Shane has been playing the role of instructor, artistic director, and adjudicator over these last two decades.

Long before this leap into a professional role of mentorship and guidance, however, Shane could be found 1-2-3ing his way around the Shumka studios, where he danced for more than 14 years. In addition to travelling internationally with his Edmonton-based alumni, Shane has since done extensive work with several ensembles across Ukraine, and has complimented his dance training with studies in human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, and the visual and performing

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after facing imprisonment, torture, and starvation. While the script really only scratches the surface of true-life events, cinematographically, the film is beautifully done, featuring visually stunning lighting.

With current events as they are in Ukraine,

arts. It is for this and many reasons more, Shane was presented with this year’s tribute.

Upon receiving the award, Shane says he was honoured to have been nominated.

“At times we are not sure as instructors that the messages and the passion for a culture we are trying to deliver are completely appreciated and embraced.

This award is more of a revelation to me that the hunger to understand the Ukrainian culture and a desire to celebrate it by a multi-generationally removed diaspora is as strong as ever.”

As a way to recognise the important and hard work carried out by Ukrainian dance instructors around the world, Ukrainian Dance World initiated the Ukrainian Dance Instructor of the Year Award in 2014.

The first winner was Yevshan’s Vitaliy Sorokotiaguine of Saskatoon, Canada.

In 2015, the same challenge was issued to Ukrainian dancers the world over, with Adam Breckner of the Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club in Prince Albert, Canada, taking home the prize.

Vitaliy, Adam, and now Shane are among the first to win the UDW Ukrainian Dance Instructor of the Year award. But there are many more such dedicated teachers out there just as deserving. Do you have a teacher you would like to nominate? Start sending in your nominations for the 2018 Ukrainian Dance Instructor of the year now!

 Nominations can be sent to UkrDanceWorld@gmail.com

some say the film scores points just by being produced, as it tells the harrowing tale of a man-made famine intended to further the political goals of one power-hungry dictator.

One significant overarching outcome is that it opens the door to dialogue, something desperately needed at a time when history looks to be repeating itself in the war currently being waged against Ukraine by the country’s eastward neighbour.

This is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the truth – a truth that is not often told outside of Ukrainian circles.

Check your local listings for showings, or get in touch with your local UCC branch to find out when the film will be showed in your area.

KHERSON’S DANCER ON FILM

Featuring one of the ballet world’s best male dancers of his generation, Dancer takes you on a journey with Kherson-born Sergei Polunin, who gave it all up at the tender age of 25. He said he had become so unhappy, “the artist in me was dying”.

Polunin became the Royal Ballet’s youngest ever principal in 2010, after studying with the Royal Ballet School since the age of 13. He had spent four years at the Kyiv Choreographic Institute before that, and another four years at his local gymnastics academy in his hometown from the age of four.

Blessed, or perhaps cursed, with an astonishing power and poise, his family suffered much to further his career. In clips with Polonin, his family and his friends, Dancer demonstrates the self-destruction imposed by extraordinary fame and stardom.

Featured in the documentary is Polunin’s prowess in his performance set to Hozier’s Take Me To Church, already at more than 18.5 million views, and climbing.

Вічна Пам’ять The Ukrainian Canadian community has had to bid farewell to two significant figures in the last few months with the passing of Orysia Tracz and Viktor Stepovy. They will be missed dearly, within their inner circles certainly, but also by those of us they touched with their artistic talents.

Orysia Tracz

Orysia was born in a displaced person’s camp in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, following her family’s escape from Ukraine as forced labourers from the Second World War. She spent her first years in the Orlyk Displaced Persons Camp, before moving to New Jersey in 1945 with her family as refugees.

Ukrainian culture was of utmost importance to Orysia, and she spent much of her younger years involved in the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM). After attending George Washington University as one of the first wave of women allowed, she met her husband Myroslav at a Ukrainian resort in New York. They married in 1967, and moved to Winnipeg a year later, where they created a home in a community that embraced their beloved Ukrainian culture.

As an active member of various community organisations that championed the Ukrainian culture, Orysia was a writer, researcher, lecturer, translator, and storyteller, whose accomplishments are well known not only throughout Canada, but also the US, Australia, and certainly Ukraine. Most recently, she’d published a collection of Ukrainian Christmas traditions in a book called, “The First Star I See Tonight”, which was to be the first among many featuring Ukrainian traditions.

She will be missed.

Viktor Stepovy

Viktor was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and began dancing at the age of 6. While residing in Kyiv, he danced at the Ukrainian Dance Academy and the Druzhba Ukrainian Dance Ensemble where he received his dance training under worldrenowned artists and soloists of the Virsky Ensemble.

Viktor studied the art of shoemaking, specialising in fashion footwear, at the Vocational Technical College in Kyiv. For a number of years, he designed custom footwear during the day, and attended dance rehearsals at night.

He attended classes with the Joffre Ballet after immigrating to New York in 1979, and later found a home in the greater Toronto area in 1981 dancing with the Ukrainian Festival Dance Company, where he met his wife Iryna.

He and his family moved to Edmonton in 1988 where he danced with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers from 1988 to 1992. While in Canada, Viktor continued making footwear, only now it was in the form of red boots and postoly for dancers. As a dancer, Viktor knew what made a good boot, and his product was sought out around the world.

His passing is a great loss.

THE MUSIC OF POLTAVA IN SOUTH AMERICA

The famed Ukrainian song and dance group of Curitiba, Brazil – Poltava, have been very busy in recent months. Putting together the last pieces to a project they hold near and dear, a crowdfunding platform has recently been launched in support of the recording of their first CD of Ukrainian folk songs!

The recording comes on the eve of their 35th anniversary and will feature wellknown music inherent across the Ukrainian cultural landscape. Under the directorship of Igor Yulian Kovaliuk, the orchestra and choir have already been hard at work in the studio.

With just 60 days to reach their goal of raising $6,457, you can help with a donation of $16. Upon completion of the project you’ll get your very own copy of Українські Народні Пісні, as well as the satisfaction of knowing South America’s Ukrainian culture is alive and strong.

For more information, go to www.idea.me/projetos/46252/gravacao-do-primeiro-cd

AUDA HELPING LOC AL COMMUNITIES

Live in Alberta? Involved in the Ukrainian community? Would you like a little support for your involvement? Then take a look online at the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association for more information – AUDA has initiated support for some amazing programs in 2017 and they could benefit you.

Extra-Ordinary Need Financial Assistance: provides one-time monetary assistance to cover in part the cost of dance fees and/or footwear. Deadlines for submissions are 31 March 31 and 15 October 2017.

Community Ukrainian Dance Workshop Program: offers an honourarium of $1000 in return for organizing and hosting a workshop any time before 30 November 2017.

Celebrating 125 Years of Ukrainian Immigration: provides member organisations $125 for each community performance as part of the group’s activities to increase awareness and participation in Ukrainian dance in Alberta.

The submission deadline for reimbursement is 31 August 2017.

Summer Dance Camp Scholarships: provides 10 individual scholarships of up to $500 each for youth to attend dance camps held in Alberta during the summer. Deadline for applications is 1 May 2017.

MUSIC RESOURCES INITIATIVE

In recognition of 125 years of Ukrainian heritage music in Canada, AUDA is undertaking the production of 125 minutes of newly-recorded Ukrainian heritage folk dance music as resource materials for Ukrainian dance schools. The goal is to have 50% of the music composed, arranged, and recorded in Ukraine, and 50% of the music composed, arranged, and recorded in Canada.

Twelve pieces of music have already been produced and are available for free download from collaborations in Lviv, Ukraine in the summer of 2016. More content will be coming in 2017. To get in on this incredible opportunity, you only need be a member of the Alberta Ukrainian Dance Association!

For more information, go to www.abuda.ca

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AT THE BARRE

L A N A N I CO LE N I L A N D

MYROSLAV VANTUKH VIRSKY’S IRON FIST

At 78 -years old, Myroslav Mychailovych has not changed much. He is still an extremely emotive man in some moments, quiet and watchful in others. He still regularly directs rehearsals with the ensemble, joins them on tours – both national and international, and is in charge of every aspect of the running of this massive operation. “I don’t have days off,” he says in earnest. “I am here on Saturday and Sundays. No one forces me to do this. Sometimes I come when there is no one here. I live here, because I love it.”

I was 18 when I first met Myroslav Vantukh. Though not a big man, he commanded presence in any room and among any group of which he has ever been a part, and I did my very best to impress. Even now, many years later, I am ever aware of his discerning eye, and am careful about how I conduct myself. He is, after all, the iron fist of Virsky – the world’s best Ukrainian dance ensemble.

A RE-EDUCATION

As the face of Virsky for the last 37 years, Vantukh has had a huge responsibility to continue the creative quest set out by his predecessor, founder, and namesake of the ensemble he now governs – Pavlo Virsky. Virsky himself was a visionary in his own right. A student of ballet, he coupled classical dance with traditional Ukrainian folk dance – creating something completely different from what existed at the time, or even now.

“People like Virsky are born once in 100 years,” Vantukh says. “When I came, I had to keep my mouth shut and do things in the manner of Virsky. This was difficult, and a huge responsibility. I needed to re-educate myself – those dances I have created for the ensemble are similar in manner and feel to those Virsky would have done. I think I made the right choice.”

Though there were problems when he first arrived, Vantukh says he’s very happy with the collective today. It helps that there are two additional facets to the way the organisation is run, including the Virsky school, where kids dance for ten years from the time they are five or six, to a two-year studio programme, from which those who are chosen filter into the ensemble.

Vantukh is sure Virsky is looking down on him and would be satisfied with the way the group is run today. “He was, is, and will remain my teacher, always.”

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AND SO HE WENT

Prior to taking on this huge role in 1980, Vantukh was head of another impressive group in Lviv, winning awards and admiration the world over. Yunist was founded in 1964, and consisted of a repertoire of Ukrainian dances, those from regions within the USSR, as well as other world cultures. “In Lviv I became known as a person of culture. I was winning awards and everyone loved what I was doing – there was nothing like the ensemble I was running back then.”

Vantukh met with Virsky often during this time, and says Virsky greatly valued his work. Vantukh was the youngest head of a state honoured ensemble at the time, and perhaps it seemed logical to be invited to take over the role of artistic director in Kyiv after the passing of the master in 1975. But Vantukh said he didn’t want it. “I had built everything on my own and I didn’t want to leave Yunist.” Five years later, after a number of unsuccessful attempts to fill the position of Virsky ensemble’s artistic director, he met with

the First Secretary of the Lviv Province who encouraged Vantukh to take the position. “You have already outgrown Yunist,” said the Secretary. “It’s time to move on.” And so he went.

A SOULFUL CULTURE

It’s fascinating to be back in his office after so many years. The phone rings twice during our conversation – both calls of which he takes, with his apologies.

When he puts the phone down, I ask him a question about the current state of affairs regarding what is happening in the country, the government, and what that means for art and culture as a whole.

“Back in the Soviet Union,” he says, “the government gave us money. Now, it is only for salaries. But thank God for that. The biggest problem today, is that too many of the people in power do not remember, do not understand, the word culture. And this is offensive. Everyone thinks about industry, education, health – but culture is forgotten about.”

This is a topic we will return to a number

of times before we finish, and it occurs to me after all these years, that this man’s iron fist is a result not just of the time in which he grew up, but because of this resilient belief in his nation and its culture.

I ask him why he thinks culture is necessary at this turning point in the county’s history. He is quick to answer – “We always need culture. Otherwise, what are we fighting for?” quoting Churchill when the UK Prime Minister was asked about cutting arts funding in favour of the war effort.

To this effect, he says he is grateful for the soldiers protecting the country, and goes on to talk about a concert the group just gave in Donbas, the east of Ukraine where the biggest part of the struggle is taking place. “The people in the audience stood

and cried, along with our dancers on stage. A soulful culture, should always be, and is always, necessary.”

THE NEED TO CREATE

Despite growing up in an aggressive world climate, not unlike what is going on in the country right now, Vantukh says his childhood was one of dear memories, perhaps making him the man he is today. There was a great cultural programme in school, where he began his dance career, and quickly understood that this was to be his profession going forward.

After graduating from the Lviv College of Cultural Education, he danced professionally for the Ensemble of Song and Dance Pre-Karpaty War Division and later with the local Philharmonic.

When he tore his meniscus during a rehearsal, the doctor told him it would be better change professions, and so Vantukh made the move from being on stage, to being behind it. “To be honest, it’s better

The biggest problem today, is that too many of the people in power do not remember, do not understand, the word culture DECOR ATIONS

CHOREOGR APH Y BY M VANTUKH

Honoured Artist of the USSR (1968) People’s Artist of the USSR (1977) Veteran of Labour Medal (1985) Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine (1993) Honourary Distinction of the President (1995) Honourary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2004) Hero of Ukraine (2004)

* The Carapathians * The Tambourine Dance, * The Young Years * In Peace and Harmony * The Russian Suite * Ukraine, My Ukraine * Gypsy * Kozachok * Volyn Patterns

to dance than to lead a group, because when you dance, and you are tired, and you can fall asleep quickly. As a director, you don’t sleep – you always have something to do.”

The most difficult thing, he says, is to teach someone how to dance. “This is always a worry for any teacher, but I have been lucky in this – I have led ballet classes, rehearsed programmes, and led companies.”

We talk about this and that, about where the ensemble is going, and where it has been. What is important, and what is less so. But we always come back to the topic of culture. And for this story anyway, it seems a good place to finish. “As long as God gives you strength, as long as you can lift your legs, and your head works, you need to create,” he says wistfully. “A soulful culture, you cannot put on a scale – you cannot ask how much it costs. It is priceless.”

TIMELINE

18 January 1939 – born Velikosilky, about 30 km outside of Lviv September 1946 – starts school June 1958 – graduates from the Lviv College of Cultural Education October 1958 – December 1961 – serves in the cultural division of the Soviet Army, in the town of Rava-Ruska January 1962 – February 1980 – worked in the Lvviv Palace of Culture as bayanist and rehearsal director; founded the State Honoured Yunist Dance Ensemble (1964), February 1980 – current day – took over as Artistic Director of Virsky National Ensemble of Ukrainian Dance

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COSTUME COMMENTARY

L A N A N I CO LE N I L A N D

One of the best displays of Ukrainian culture is in its colourful dress. UDW The Magazine brings you a new rubric to celebrate the unique and amazing costumes of Ukraine with Costume Commentary.

THE NAMITK A

Women in Polissia wore a long headdress carried over from the ancients fashioned from a rushnyk called a намітка (namitka). Initially, they were sewn from thin grey linen, decorated in patterns of red using finger weaving. Later, woven geometric ornaments began to appear thanks to the use of needle and thread. The seams are smooth and the patterns are undoubtedly the oldest in this area, with dozens of different headdresses found in every village.

THE KR AIK A

An important part of the costume is the крайка (kraika) or what we call the poyas or belt. It was woven in longitudinal strips of coloured thread, the ends often decorated in loose strands.

In most regions of Ukraine, if you were to leave the house without your poyas you might as well have been naked.

THE SPIDNITSA

Over the sorochka, a half-length спiдніца (spidnitsa – skirt) was worn, for which there were many local names – хвартух – hvartuh, сподніца – spodnitsa, окружник – okruzhnyk, рантух – rantuh, літник – litnyk, рябак – ryabak, бальфаник – balfanyk. Stitched in four parts, with pleats from the waist, the spidnitsa was often woven in strips of white and grey, with additional stripes of red along the bottom. Over top of the spidnitsa, an apron was worn, also typically in gray or with stripes like the skirt, and with some sort of embroidery. It was typical for a young bride to receive at least three aprons at her wedding.

THE POS TOLY

For most of the year, women wore постоли (postoly) or личаки (lychaky), which were woven slippers made from either leather or the bark of a willow or oak tree, respectively. Under the footwear, the legs were wrapped in онучі (onuchi) – rectangular pieces of homespun linen that served as socks. In the winter, onuchi were of warm woollen cloth. The slippers were fastened using linen strings, which crossed over the onuchi and were fastened at the top.

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Located in the north of Ukraine, the Polissian region coincides with a natural zone of woodland. This forest area protected the population from invading nomadic people but also served as a way to preserve the ancient Polissian way of life, expressed in language, food, housing, and certainly clothing. An impressive variety of textures, shapes, and colours can be found in Polissian dress, especially for women, and that includes exquisite headdress and accessories.

A WOMAN OF POLISSIA

A special accessory in the Rivne region was something called a навіска (naviska – bag) made of bark.

THE SOROCHK A

Due to high humidity, the main crops in the area were flax, much of which was used to create something called homespun linen.

From this material, comes the basic element in a woman’s wardrobe – the сорочка (sorochka – long blouse), which also acted as her underwear. To make just one of these blouses, an incredible six metres of material was needed – that’s eight kilometres of thread! Sleeves, inserts, collars, and cuffs were decorated with woven or embroidered patterns, such as the sun, moon, and stars and elements of nature – fire, air, earth and water. Solar rays with diamonds popularly called “soul in colour” were used, as were octagonal rhombuses, often called a “well”, symbolising a connection to the world of the ancestors. Images too were taken from things on earth, where a sown field, for example, would have been depicted as four diamonds stood upright creating an X, each with a dot inside, which created a single diamond when looked at as a whole.

All geometric patterns were the perfect combination of signs of spirit and matter, male and female, mother and father – carrying harmony and balance.

Interestingly, ornaments and machinery in the nineteenth century were so unique that one could determine the village an individual came from just by her sorochka!

THE KUR TK A

When outside, women wore a light coat made of linen in the summer and made of wool in the winter.

This item of clothing also had its own special local names: сермага – sermaha, латуха – latuha, курта – kurta, сукман – sukman, сернєга – sernyeha. They were sewn from homespun cloth, the colour of which depended on the breed and age of the sheep from which the wool was taken.

Characteristic folds on the sides of the overcoat were decorated with coloured woolen buttons and cords.

At the time, thread was coloured using natural dyes. For example, one of the most popular colours of the area was red, which was extracted from the larvae of the cochineal insect.

DECOR ATION

Decoration worn around the neck began to appear only around the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Short sleeveless камізелька (kamizelka) known as a bib or pectoral, made of homespun linen, and decorated with strips of calico of different colours, and later satin ribbons and lace were worn. Women were very modest if they did were any type of jewellery, choosing glass beads of yellow, green, purple and red.

Our gratitude goes out to Yuriy Melnychuk of the Ukrainian Institute of Fashion History for the invaluable information and beautiful photography. For more information, check out their Facebook page – IUFH.official UDW The Magazine!

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UKR AINIAN CALENDAR

March 3 HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF BATURYN, THE HETMAN CAPITAL  3 March & 10 March @ 7pm  Old Mill Toronto (21 Old Mill Rd, Toronto) An illustrated public lecture (in Ukrainian with slides) by Volodymyr Mezentsev, Ph. D., Research Associate of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, and CIUS Executive Director of the CanadaUkraine Baturyn archaeological project.  For more information, call 416-516-8223.

OKEAN ELZY IN CONCERT  3 March @ 8pm  Rebel, Toronto, ON  Tickets: $60-$330  www.kaboomtickit.ca

DAKHA BRAKHA  10 March @ 8pm  Johnson County Community College, Kansas, US  Tickets: $21-$25  www.jccc.edu

18 KOBZARI – SHUMK A AND THE UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS  18 March @ 6pm  Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON  Tickets: $25-$70  www.ticketmaster.ca PYSANK A WORKSHOP

 18 & 19 March @ various times

 Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: $25  www.umc.sk.ca

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VEETERETZ SCHOOL OF DANCE FAMILY FUN NIGHT  4 March @ 8pm  St Charles Parish Church, Edmonton, AB  Tickets: $11  Veeteretz

KOBZARI – SHUMK A AND THE UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS  19 March @ 2pm  Chrysler Theatre, Windsor, ON  Tickets: $25-$70  www.ticketmaster.ca

KVITK A ZABAVA  4 March @ 5.30pm  Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St Mary’s, Surrey, BC  Tickets: $20  kvitkadancers@gmail.com

9 NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF UKRAINE  9 March @ 7.30pm  Armstrong Auditorium, Oklahoma, US  Tickets: $22-67  www.ticketmaster.com

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25 SPRING POLK A  25 March @7pm  St Vladimir Institute, Toronto, ON  Tickets: call to check  www.folkcamp.ca PYSANK A WORKSHOP  25 & 26 March @ various times  Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: $25  www.umc.sk.ca

April 2 EASTER BAZAAR  2 April @ 11 am  St Michael’s Parish Hall, Nanaimo, BC  Tickets: call and check  VesnaDancersNanaimo MUSEE UKRAINA FUNDRAISING GALA  2 April @ 4pm  Travelodge, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: call to check  www.mumsaskatoon.com

5 PYSANK A WORKSHOP  5 April @7pm  Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: $25  www.umc.sk.ca

8-24 REGENERATION GROUP ART SHOW OF UKRAINIAN ARTISTS  8-24 April  ACUA, Edmonton, AB  Tickets: free  www.acuarts.ca

Get comfy in our exclusive line of super Ukr-casual wear – HITKA Postmark Ukraine www.PostmarkUkraine.com

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May

April

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21-22

VESNA FESTIVAL  13 May @ 5pm  Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: all to check  www.vesnafestival.com

NORTH DAKOTA UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL  21-22 July  Belfield & Dickinson, North Dakota, US  Tickets: call and check  www.northdakotaukrainianfestival.com

VOLYA’S SPRING AWAKENING GALA  13 May @ 5.30pm  St Basil’s Hall, Edmonton, AB  Tickets: call to check  info@volya.org

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8 EASTER & SPRING MARKET  8 April @ 10am  ACUA, Edmonton, AB  Tickets: call to check  www.acuarts.ca KOBZARI – SHUMK A AND THE UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS  8 April @ 7pm  Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, AB  Tickets: $25-$70  www.ticketmaster.ca

9 KOBZARI – SHUMK A AND THE UKRAINIAN BANDURIST CHORUS  9 April @ 2pm  Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, AB  Tickets: $25-$70  www.ticketmaster.ca

29 22 ND ANNUAL FOAM LAKE VESELK A FESTIVAL 2017  29 April from 7am  Community Hall, Foam Lake, SK  Tickets: $12-$24  FoamLakeVeselka

19-21 ST GEORGE UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL  19-21 May  East Village, New York, NY, USA  Tickets: call to check  StGeorgesUkrainianFestivalNYC

29 OK ANAGAN UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL  29 May @ 2pm  Vernon Performing Arts Centre, Vernon, BC  Tickets: $10-25  www.sadok.net

Summer 3 KVITK A’S VESNA CONCERT  3 June @ 6pm  Laura Muir Theatre 700 Royal Ave, New Westminster, BC  $10 Admission at door.  www.kvitkadancers.com CALGARY UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL  3-4 June  Acadia Recreation Complex, Calgary, AB  Tickets: $6-$12  www.calgaryukrainianfestival.ca

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PYSANK A FESTIVAL  7-9 July  Vegreville, AB Vegreville, Alberta, Canada welcomes one and all to their 44th annual Pysanka Festival in July this year. Treat your eyes and ears to five amazing grandstand shows, tap your feet to some fabulous Ukrainian music, enjoy delicious Ukrainian food – some of the best national food around, go back in time to see how rope-making and blacksmithing was done by pioneers, visit the Yarmarka to take home a souvenir or three, and make sure you dance the night away at the evening zabavas where kolomeykas are sure to entertain!  Tickets: $15-$100  www.pysankafestival.com

4-6 DAUPHIN UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL  4-6 August  Dauphin, MN  Tickets: $80-$100  www.cnuf.ca

15-17 BLOOR WEST VILLAGE UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL  15-17 September  Bloor West, Toronto, ON  Tickets: free  www.ukrainianfestival.com

HALF A CENTURY OF INSPIRED UKRAINIAN DANCE IN SASKATOON PAVLYCHENKO FOLKLORIQUE ENSEMBLE

Founded by Miss Lusia Pavlychenko in 1967, the ensemble has been ensuring that the beauty and tradition of Ukrainian culture is reflected in the art of their performance with every show for the last 50 years. Lovingly known as PFE, the group combines the traditions of Ukraine with the Canadian experience, ensuring a unique encounter with each and every performance.

Celebrating this milestone in style, the group will be embarking on a two-week trip through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary, and finishing up in Lviv, Ukraine at the International Ukrainian Dance & Culture Fest. The cherry on top is a gala performance at TCU Place in Saskatoon on Saturday 7 October.  For more information about the anniversary concert, visit www.pfedance.com.  And make sure you like their Facebook page – pfedance – to get up-to-date antics while the group celebrates in Europe this summer.

Saskatoon Saskatchewan – a hotbed of Ukrainian culture on the Canadian prairies. Having just celebrated 125 years of Ukrainian immigration to Saskatchewan in 2016, this year we celebrate three fabulous dance groups, which have been kicking up their heels for the last 50 years!

BOYAN

RUSHN YCHOK

Another one of Saskatoon’s groups celebrating 50 years is Boyan. First finding their feet in the basement of St Peter and Paul’s Church back in 1967, it was Rosalie and Joseph Kitz who took the group to the next level in the decades to come. With a stellar list of local instructors ensuring the group continues to follow the traditions, culture, and love of all things Ukrainian, they are surely a force to be reckoned with on stage!

Boyan will be celebrating at TCU Place on 29 April, where the Lastiwka Folk Choir & Orchestra, along with the Pavlychenko and Yevshan ensembles will be joining in on the celebration. The party continues with a dance below in Centennial Hall with Half Na Piv playing until the wee hours!  For more information about the anniversary concert, visit www.boyandance.com.  Their Facebook is also waiting for a like – find them at boyandance.

One of our favourite Saskatoon groups, Rushnychok Ukrainian Folk Dance Association, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! As a non-profit organisation governed solely by parents dedicated to keeping the customs of Ukraine alive in Saskatoon, the dance club actively promotes and preserves the culture of Ukraine through dance. Rushnychok’s repertoire is constantly changing as their team of incredibly enthusiastic instructors continue to develop innovative, exciting, and award-winning choreography, which reflect the traditions of Ukraine while capturing the free spirit of a modern nation.

A performance is planned to celebrate their 50-year milestone 29 April, at Lakeview Church, where this ever-growing group of 3-18 year olds are sure to inspire.  For more information about the show visit www.rushnychokukrainiandance.com.  And make sure you check out their Facebook page – Rushnychok.

Pavlychenko 50th Anniversary Performance

Boyan 50 th Anniversary Performance

Rushnychok 50 th Anniversary Performance

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 29

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October @ 7pm TCU Place, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: call to check  www.pfedance.com

April @ 7pm TCU Place, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: $12-$29  www.boyandance.com

April @ 2pm Lakeview Church, Saskatoon, SK  Tickets: call to check  www.rushnychokukrainiandance.com

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&CAMPS

DANCE FESTIVALS

16 th ANNUAL YORKTON K ALYNA FESTIVAL OF DANCE  4-7 May  Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton, SK  www.yorktonkalynadance.com

MANITOBA UKRAINIAN DANCE FESTIVAL  17-19 March  Pantages Playhouse Theatre, Winnipeg, MN  www.troyanda.com

DANCING ON THE BORDER  24-26 March  Vic Jub Community Theatre, Lloydminster, AB  www.malankadancers.com

27th ANNUAL NORTH BATTLEFORD SVOBODA UKRAINIAN DANCE FESTIVAL  7-9 April  Dekker Centre for the Arts  svobodafestival@hotmail.com

13 th ANNUAL PAVLYCHENKO FOLKLORIQUE ENSEMBLE DANCE SHOWCASE  20-23 April  Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK  www.pfedance.com

CHEREMOSH UKRAINIAN DANCE FESTIVAL  11-13 May

 Arden Theatre, Edmonton, AB  www.cheremosh.ca

SYZOKRYLI SUMMER DANCE WORKSHOP  28 June – 11 July  Soyuzivka Heritage Centre, Kerhonkson, NY, USA  Cost: $1,325  www.syzokryli.com

SHUMKA JUNIOR & SENIOR DANCE CAMP  2-8 July

 Camp Oselia, Wabamun Lake, AB  Cost: call to check  www.shumka.com

HOPAK ON THE PRAIRIES  5-11 August  Pure Energ y Studios, Saskatoon, SK  St Peter’s Abbey, SK  m.duplak@ucc.sk.ca

SHUMK A JUNIOR DANCE CAMP  6-12 August  Camp Oselia, Wabamun Lake, AB  Cost: call to check  www.shumka.com

SHUMK A SENIOR DANCE CAMP  6-15 August  Camp Oselia, Wabamun Lake, AB  Cost: call to check  www.shumka.com

SYZOKRYLI SUMMER CAMP SESSION II  9-22 August  Soyuzivka Heritage Centre, Kerhonkson, NY, USA  Cost: $1,325  www.syzokryli.com

NORTH DAKOTA DANCE CAMP & WORKSHOP  10-22 July  Dickinson, North Dakota, US  Cost: call and check  www.nduda.org

UDIC SUMMER DANCE WORKSHOP  21-26 August  Camp St Basil, Mulhurst, AB  Cost: call to check  www.ud-ic.com

30 th ANNUAL PRINCE ALBERT BARVEENOK UKRAINIAN DANCE FESTIVAL  21-23 April  EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, Prince Albert, SK  www.pabarveenok.com

POKROVA KOLOMYIK A CAMP 2017  17-21 July  1000 Byron Ave, Ottawa, ON  Cost: $285  www.pokrovanetwork.ca

FOLK CAMP  21-27 August  Grafton, ON  Cost: $650  www.folkcamp.ca

VEETERETZ UKRAINIAN DANCE FESTIVAL  24-26 April  Dow Centennial Centre, Fort Saskatchewan, AB  www.members.shaw.ca/g.hanke/index

SYZOKRYLI SUMMER CAMP SESSION I  26 July – 8 August  Soyuzivka Heritage Centre, Kerhonkson, NY, USA  Cost: $1,325  www.syzokryli.com

UDIC INSTRUCTOR CONFERENCE  26-28 August  Camp St Basil, Mulhurst, AB  Cost: call to check  www.ud-ic.com

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2017 Attractions I nclude: - 5 Amazing Grandstand S hows - 4 Stages with ongoing Entertainment - 3 Evening Zabava’s - 3 Evening Polka Parties - S unday Evening Headliner from Ukraine - Amateur Talent Competition - Interactive Ukrainian Heritage Village - Traditional Cossack Camp - Riding and Dancing Cossacks - Ukrainian Festival Parade

- Vendors Pavilion and Food Booths - Return S huttle Service from Dauphin - Cultural Activities and Demonstrations - Children’s Entertainment and Inflat able - Playzone - Fresh Clay Oven Baked Bread - S unday Night Fireworks S how - Dauphin Ag Heritage Club Threshing Demo and Display And so much more…

Sunday Headliner

Weekend Passes for only $95 + GST D a y Pa sse s a nd Ca m ping Pa sse s will a lso be a va ila ble .

Get your tickets from the office in the Plaze off Main or call 204-622-4600.

Visit www.cnuf .ca f or updat es.

Also like

CNUF

on facebook!

– TIK

TEACHER TALK

TA S H A O R Y S I U K

FIND YOUR SP T Have you ever had students look at you with a blank stare when you try to teach a new step? Have you ever come home frustrated with your kids for not being able to “just do what I’m showing you”? Let’s talk. Teacher talk.

WHAT IS SPOT TING?

Spotting, by definition, is a “technique used by dancers during the execution of various dance turns. The goal of spotting is to attain a constant orientation of the dancer’s head and eyes, to the extent possible, in order to enhance the dancer’s control and prevent dizziness.” The how is to rotate the body approximately 1/4 turn, leaving the head behind to focus on a spot. Just as quickly, the dancer whips the head around, back to find their original “spot”, while simultaneously rotating the body to catch up to the head.

METHODS A PLENT Y

There are a number of different ways to teach spotting. My favorite, especially with the littlest ones, is to start with basic steps such as galloping and skipping.

Have the dancer spot the wall they are travelling toward. Do four gallops sideways with the right leg, half turn to the right, while keeping the head fixed on the same spot.

Four gallops sideways moving in the same direction with the left leg. Then, snapping the head around to the right, along with 18

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the body to come back to the initial spot and starting position. Repeat with another four gallops with the right leg, half turn, gallops with the left leg, half turn, etc, and continue in this way until the dancer reaches the end of the studio.

When the students are successful with this initial introduction, are able to focus their eyes on the spot, and turn their bodies at the appropriate time to complete one full rotation, progress to only two gallops with the right leg, half turn, left leg, half turn, etc, ensuring the dancers is finding his/her spot with each full rotation.

When the students find success in just two gallops, move to just one gallop on each leg, making sure they are turning at the appropriate time. You can also introduce skipping at this point, following the same guidelines as above – one skip per side, or two skips per full turn.

FINDING FOCUS

When students have figured out how the body moves in relation to spotting, it’s time to start improving the dancer’s focus while turning.

To help dancers with this, have one student stand at one end of the studio with their hand held up at eye level. Their hand should be clenched with the palm facing out. Students take turns turning towards this student with his or her hand in the air, while the teacher ensures spotting is happening at every turn.

Once the dancer has made it halfway, the person with the fist will hold up between one and five fingers and close their hand again.

When the dancer turning reaches the person at the end, he or she must correctly relay the number of fingers shown. If the person turning was not focusing, they will not see the correct number of fingers. As teachers, you may decide to give your students minor rewards for a job well done.

Photos c/o Shannon White Gabrush

We’re a little more than halfway through the year, and as teachers you’ll likely have got all of your choreography done by now, and are working on those last little touchups before festival season starts. Hopefully, that means your dancers are pointing their toes, stretching their core, and making sure they use their spot on all turns.

Spotting isn’t always an easy skill to teach; especially to little ones, who have yet to really figure out that turning is more than just spinning with their arms in the air, and then falling dizzily to the ground after one too many. It is however an essential skill in Ukrainian dance for both male and female dancers. So let’s look at what’s involved.

As an initial introduction, have two students of the same height stand across from each other. One student shuffles their feet while turning their body to the right and trying to keep their eyes glued to the nose of the dancer in front of him/ her. At the point this is no longer possible, the dancer snaps his/her head around to find the nose of the dancer opposite and continues shuffling his/her feet and moving his/her body back to the original position. Repeat to the left.

IMPOR TANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

There are so many things that need to happen in order to achieve the perfect spot. Perhaps this short list will help in the process.

• • •

•

•

•

Always look at a spot; remember to focus your eyes and actually “see” something. This will help prevent dizziness.

Keep your head level. If you allow your head to tilt you’ll be thrown off balance.

As with everything in dancing, your posture is important. When performing multiple turns, remember to tighten your abdominals, keep your weight forward and your back erect. If you release your abdominals or lean too far back, you will have difficulties staying on the spot or travelling in a straight line.

It is very important for dancers with long hair or long bangs to tie their hair back and keep it out of their eyes so that they can see!

Ponytails that can reach around to the dancer’s eyes should be put in a bun. Long hair that hits a dancer in the eyes is very distracting, and causes them to lose their focus. Not only that, hair strands can actually cut a dancer’s eye, also making it very dangerous.

There are many dancers who have trouble with the completion of their spot. They are usually good at leaving their head behind, but snapping their head around and finding that same spot again can be a problem. They will often look somewhere else upon rotation or not take their head around far enough. Make sure to watch for this by watching where the dancer is looking at the end of their turn.

And, always practice turning both ways!

Tasha Orysiuk is Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Viter Ukrainian Dancers and a long-term dedicated Ukrainian and ballet instructor.

Her contributions to Ukrainian dance are numerous, including ballet exams, development of the Shumka Syllabus, as well as being a regular adjudicator and choreographer for Viter and Shumka.

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THE ORIGINS

VINCENT REES & L A N A N I CO L E N I L A N D

UKRAINE’S COAT OF ARMS — THE TRYZUB What do you know about the tryzub? Its origins actually go back farther than you think…

The tryzub, or trident in English, is the symbol of Ukraine. Officially, it is called the “Sign of Princely State of Volodymyr the Great”, but everyone calls it the tryzub. It dates back to the early 10 th century, when the great Kyiv Rus’ was just gaining power.

FROM FALCON TO TRIDENT

Kyiv Rus’ was a very important period in Ukrainian history, as it loosely united the major tribes of the day over territory that is present-day Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Russia. At its height, between the late ninth and early thirteenth centuries, it was ruled under the dynasty of Prince Rurik, which covered the historic lands of GalaciaVolhynia (present-day Western Ukraine), Chernihiv (present-day northern Ukraine), and Vladimir-Suzdal (presentday north-west Russia).

It was during this earlier period that the trident first appeared in seals, and if you pay close enough attention, you will also find its presence on the bricks of churches and castle walls of the period, as well as weapons, rings, and even pottery.

While everyone knows the tryzub as the classic trident, or three-pronged spear, historians believe this was not the original depiction of the country’s current symbol. Rather, it was meant to depict a falcon in flight. A cross was added to the top of the middle bar after St Volodymyr the Great was baptised around 988, and this new depiction would soon be found stamped into gold and silver coins.

But it wasn’t until 1917 during the First Ukrainian People’s Republic, when the tryzub became the country’s official symbol, thanks to Ukraine’s first great leader, Mykhailo Hrushevsky.

THREE – TOOTH

Tryzub translates directly from Ukrainian as три (“tri” – three) + зуб (“zyb” – tooth). It’s the Latin form we use in English, which can also be broken down – tri (meaning three) + dent (from dental). Though the tryzub has become a 100% unique symbol of Ukraine, the trident is most certainly a mix of influences from Greek and Roman gods,

and the goddess of India.

Gods of the sea Poseidon and Neptune in Greek and Roman mythology respectively, both carried a trident, which they used as a weapon to create new bodies of water and cause earthquakes. In many depictions of the Indian goddess Shiva, she can be seen holding a spear, which in Sanskrit is called a trishula, commonly said to represent many trinities. This triple spear became associated with might and power early on in human history as traditionally the triple spear was used for fishing, and those who had the fish, had the food, and had the power.

Today, like in the past, the tryzub can be found on many important structures, such as government buildings, as well as on local money. It has even become a popular symbol for Ukrainian patriots to have tattooed on their bodies! But even more fascinating, is if you pull apart the shapes of this great symbol, Ukrainian letters В – О – Л – Я appear; something just as important as the symbol itself.

Воля (volya) = freedom

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STEP BY STEP

VINCENT REES & L A N A N I CO L E N I L A N D

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HO AK

— A HUBBUB OF HISTORICAL ONE-UPMANSHIP The Hopak. One of, if not, the most famous of Ukrainian dances, with a beginning not many might guess.

JUMP ABOUT

Everyone knows the Hopak. Regardless of whether you live in Canada, Australia, or Ukraine, it is performed, almost without fail, at the end of every Ukrainian dance performance. Showcasing visually and technically amazing feats, it is for all intents and purposes meant to impress the audience one last time, before the dancers take their leave of the stage following an already exhilarating show. But that wasn’t always the case…

The name Hopak comes from the word hopaty, which literally means to jump about.

The dance came into existence somewhere around the 15th to 16th centuries in the steppes of central Ukraine. Historians agree that the dance appeared in the Kozak Sich, a fort found on Khortytsia Island, in the middle of the Dnipro River.

No women were allowed in the Sich, so the “dance” – in its infancy – involved only men; often those who had just returned victorious after one battle or another.

With Kobzars and other local musicians to provide a lively tune, the men would dance as they felt, moving to the music in an improvisational way that felt natural.

Often these movements mimicked fights from the battlefield and included steps while squatting, stamping, and jumping.

There were no formations to speak of and no dance was ever the same, as the Hopak was a spontaneous event with whomever happened to be around. Showcasing the men’s pride, strength, heroism, and energy, and possibly a good dose of humour as well, it was always a joyous expression, allowing these tough guys to blow off a little steam.

Researcher Oleksander Kolosok wrote that when a new Hetman was chosen, he would take the famed bulava or mace and dance in a circle around a cup of horilka. Then, every Kozak would take their turn and dance

around the cup to show their support for the new leader.

DANCE - OFF, KOZ AK S T YLE

While no official records of the Hopak from this time exist, historical accounts do verify some later details, where some of the steps may have been inspired by the Kozak lifestyle. Recreating moments such as riding a horse, jumping a fence, or sneaking up on the enemy. Perhaps the orel (eagle) step was how Kozak spied on their enemy. Interestingly, this was also a term of endearment for younger Kozaky.

Some historians opine that Kozaks were displaying their affinity for the martial arts and that the Hopak was an integral part of military training at this time, where Kozaks would have a “dance off” to try and out-jump or out-dance one another. In some cases, weapons would appear to add to the challenge.

Steps were also influenced by the clothing Kozaky wore. Baggy pants allowed the legs to move around freely and kick high.

Riding boots made it easy for the men to stamp loudly or rhythmically depending on the moment, and even vykhylias or cabriole may have been a way to show off a man’s boots.

With the increased status of Kozaky in local populations, the Hopak found its way into towns and villages, remaining a male dance no longer. Circle dances were popular at the time, passed down from their Ruthenian ancestors (see feature on the Tryzub, p 20), and included both male and female participants. Soon, elements of the Kozak Hopak could be seen in these dances also. And while the focus was still on what the men could accomplish, they were no longer showing off just for each other, but for the girls also!

It did however continue to be fairly UDW The Magazine!

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With Kobzars and other local musicians to provide a lively tune, the men would dance as they felt, moving to the music in an improvisational way that felt natural.

Often these movements mimicked fights from the battlefield and included steps while squatting, stamping, and jumping

improvisational, where each couple would create their moves on the fly. It wasn’t necessary that everyone did the same thing at the same time. Though dancers did keep an eye on each other; laughing and playing with each as they moved.

ITS OWN UNIQUE RH Y THM

Music at that time was live and likely played by a Kobzar (a blind mistrel), on an instrument called a kobza (an early version of the modern Bandura). Accompaniment might have been in the form someone on a sopilka and/or a tambourine or drum.

It wasn’t until much later sounds of the violin entered the mix, along with some or another version of a squeezebox (accordion, harmoshka or bayan).

The music started slow and then sped up as the dance went on. Perhaps it would end when either the musicians or the dancers themselves ran out of steam. And yes, there were words to Hopak. Little verses or rhymes that were festive and rhythmical!

With time, the Hopak began to have its own unique rhythm and melody, and not unlike almost all current-day Ukrainian 24

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dances, the music for Hopak is in 2/4 time. Melodies (musical phrases) generally consist of 8 counts or 8 measures. Many Hopak melodies, songs, and variants have been recorded, all of which have a specific type of rhythm. The most important rhythmic building block to a Hopak melody is the rhythm and its variants, such as .

The most characteristic ending or cadence of a Hopak musical phrase is also .

Some of the most famous songs or excerpts found in music to the more modern-day Hopak include Гоп, мої гречаники (Hop, moyi hrechanyky) and Від Київа до Лубни (Vid Kyiva do Lubny – From Kyiv to Lubny). Most end on a high note including boisterous Ukrainian marches, such as Засвистали козаченьки (Zasvystaly kozachen’ky).

different movements prevalent across Central Ukraine, he grouped together these authentic steps used in each village.

He began putting these steps together to create dances particular to their geographic location. A Hopak from the Village of Kryve, near Kyiv, for example, from approximately 1911, was observed and noted by Verkhovynets’, and later published in his book Теорія Українського Народнього Танцю (Teoriia ukrains’koho narodnoho tantsiu – Theory of Ukrainian folk dance).

It is one of the only descriptions of an authentic naturally-occurring Hopak that exists. While we set a fixed combination of footwork in modern-day class reconstructions, Verkhovynets’ emphasised the improvisation of footwork and turns.

S TEPS FROM THE VILL AGE

In his book, Verkhovynets’ describes how to perform each of the steps:

It’s thanks to the pioneering work of ethnochoreologist Vasyl Verkhovynets that we know as much as we do about the Hopak in the early 20th century.

Going from village to village, noting the

THE VILL AGE HOPAK

The group Hopak in the village of Kryve began with one couple. The girl performed kolysannia, prystuky in one spot, kruzhal’tse,

Going from village to village, noting the different movements prevalent across Central Ukraine, Verkhovynets’ grouped together these authentic steps used in each village khid aktsentovanyi, and tynok. She placed her right hand above her waist, and moved her left hand in front of herself, to the left and to the right to her shoulder.

The boy circled around the girls and performed prystuky, khid aktsentovanyi, tynok, dorizhka dribna, and prysiadky. He held his arms crossed on his chest, opened to his sides, and placed them behind his back. During the dance, the boy didn’t look away from his girl even for a moment. He turned towards her either at an angle or directly facing her. When several other pairs joined the first couple, then the group dance developed in two figures.

First figure: The girls, facing their boys, lead the way forward (along the circle); that is, they found themselves moving backwards in the direction of travel.

Following them, danced the boys. All the pairs danced as if on the circumference of a circle.

Second Figure: The girls, moving away from the boys one at a time or all together, stepped into the centre of the house, travelling with khid aktsentovanyi as if around a small circle, and then spun on the spot.

At the end of the Hopak melody, the girls moved their hands out to the sides and clapped their hands.

Moving their hands out to the sides and clapping occurred on the seventh and eighth counts of the melody. On the first beat of the seventh count, their hands and palms came closer together. On the second beat of that count, their hands moved farther to the sides. On the first beat of the eighth measure, the girls clapped their hands, and on the second beat – returned with a stamp and travelled with khid aktsentovanyi to the boys.

TR ADITIONAL MELODIES FOR HOPAK

In their circle in the centre of the house, the girls did not perform any clearly defined steps, but each one danced movements that came into her mind individually.

During the girls’ section of the dance, the boys continued to perform their own steps one at a time, though it did happen that, during the girls’ clapping, or when the girls left their own circle, the boys, grabbing one of their friends into a prysiadka, also clapped their hands together with the girls. The dance travelled in one direction – to the right.

Thanks to translation by A Nahachewsky of the excerpt from Теорія Українського Народнього Танцю UDW The Magazine!

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UKR AINE ON CAMER A

UKR AINIAN CHRIS TMA S IN CURITIBA

On 17 December 2016, members of Brazil’s Poltava Ukrainian Folklorique Group gathered to celebrate the achievements of the year and the upcoming holiday with a fabulous Christmas spread.

Gearing up to dance more than 40 times in 2016 throughout Brazil and other parts of the world, these Curitiba natives are keen Ukrainian culture enthusiasts, and stop at almost nothing to showcase their Ukrainian ethnicity! This evening’s events couldn’t have been in a better place than where they “most understand each other” – on the stage of their local theatre! Big plans are in the works for next year – among them, the recording of the group’s very first music CD (see news for more information). Slava Ukraini Poltava! Keep up the good work Ukrainian Brazilian style!

WHITE WINTER Z ABAVA WITH VOLYA AND KOPEROUSH

Edmonton’s Volya geared up on 28 January to perform at the Winter Zabava organised by the Koperoush School of Dance. As an annual event the group performs at every year, the dancers of Volya say they love being able to share their talent with the younger students – “It’s a great outlet for younger dancers to be able to experience the vibrancy and legacy of Volya!” says Caterina Rylance, a long-standing member of the group. “The inspiration filters through, as many of them move on to join our group, and we look forward to continuing the connection.”

UDW The Magazine wants to feature you and your dance group in our magazine! is looking for your behind the scenes photos to feature in our magazine! Whatever event you had in the last six months, wherever you happened to be in the world, whatever you happened to be doing with your Ukrainian dance group – we want to share it with the Ukrainian dance community! For more information or to send in photos, write to Editor@UkrainianDanceWorld.com

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CHRIS TMA S IN THE C ARPATHIANS

Cobblestone Freeway’s Christmas in the Carpathians was a once in a lifetime experience that brought the soul and the Ukrainian spirit together. Surrounded by an endless array of fairytale landscapes visitors were enchanted by ancient customs and the unique hospitality of the Hutsul people. These centuries-old Christmas traditions have remained unchanged for generations, and not only add to the mystique of the season but also tug at the heartstrings. From Lviv to the Carpathian Mountains to Chernivtsi to Kyiv – these lucky travellers from Canada and Australia had a mesmerising experience this past January 2017, that will not soon be forgotten!

UDW The Magazine wants to feature you and your dance group in our magazine! is looking for your behind the scenes photos to feature in our magazine! Whatever event you had in the last six months, wherever you happened to be in the world, whatever you happened to be doing with your Ukrainian dance group – we want to share it with the Ukrainian dance community! For more information or to send in photos, write to Editor@UkrainianDanceWorld.com

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DOPOMOHA UKR AINI – AID UKR AINE

Weekend for Ukraine II Fundraiser In November 2016, a weekend-long event in Toronto, Canada brought together prominent Ukrainians and the Canadian community to raise awareness of the war in Ukraine and to raise funds for a program that helps veterans and war volunteers return to life after their time at war. Weekend for Ukraine II, organised by Canadian registered charity Dopomoha Ukraini – Aid Ukraine, included a political roundtable discussion, a rock concert, and a gala banquet. Guests from Ukraine included former political prisoner Hennadiy Afanasiev, the remarkable volunteer leader Ivona Kostyna, musician and political caricaturist Yuriy Zhuravel (lead singer of Ot Vinta), musician Vadym Krasnooky (lead singer of Mad Heads), and journalist/ satirist Michael Shchur (some call him Ukraine’s version of Jon Stewart). The weekend raised more than CDN$70,000, 100% of which will go to fund the charity’s Ukraine-based PTSD Reintegration Program

CRIMEAN ACTIVIST AND FORMER POLITICA L PRISONER HENNADI Y AFANSIEV SPOKE OF THE TORTURE HE ENDURED AT THE HANDS OF HIS RUSSIAN CAPTORS

UKRAINIA N CANADIA N CONGRESS PRESIDENT PAUL GROD, PHILANTH ROPIST EMCEES MICHAEL SHCHUR AND KRYSTINA WALER AND UKRAINIA N EVENING ALL INED ENTERTA KEPT THE CROWD COMMUN ITY LEADER IAN IHNATOW YCZ, AND THE CONSUL GENERAL OF UKRAINE IN CANADA ANDRII VESELOVSKYI DISCUSS THE SITUATIO N IN UKRAINE

DOPOMO HA UKRAINI- AID UKRAINE FIRST VP DANYLO SPOLSKY PRESENTE D THE PTSD REINTEGR ATION PROGRAM

If you missed the evening but feel so inclined to help, get in touch with Danylo Spolsky, First Vice President of Dopomoha Ukraini-Aid Ukraine (a registered Canadian charity) at danylo.spolsky@gmail.com MARK AND MARICHK A MARCZYK OF JUNO-NO MINATED LEMON BUCKET ORKESTR A PRESENTE D THEIR NEW MUSICAL ING PROJECT, BALAKLAVA BLUES, WITH THOUGHT-PROVOK MUSIC AND IMAGERY TIED IN WITH MAIDAN AND THE ONGOING WAR

ATTENDE ES INCLUDED BORYS WRZESNE WSKYJ, A PROMINE NT MEMBER OF PARLIAME NT AND LEADER IN THE UKRAINIA N-CANAD IAN COMMUN ITY

FAMOUS FRONTLIN E VOLUNTE ER IVONA KOSTYNA SPOKE OF THE NEW GENERAT ION OF UKRAINIA NS WHO ARE DRIVING THE COUNTRY FORWARD

MUSICIAN AND POLITICA L CARICATU RIST YURIY ZHURAVE L WAS DYNAMITE WITH HIS CHARGED MUSICAL PERFORM ANCE!

UDW The Magazine wants to feature you and your dance group in our magazine! is looking for your behind the scenes photos to feature in our magazine! Whatever event you had in the last six months, wherever you happened to be in the world, whatever you happened to be doing with your Ukrainian dance group – we want to share it with the Ukrainian dance community! For more information or to send in photos, write to Editor@UkrainianDanceWorld.com

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UKR AINIAN FA SHION, AR T, AND CULTURE FLOURISHES

Photos courtesy of B & M Photography

On February 3, more than 160 guests gathered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada to attend the sold-out KRASUNYA premiere – an evening of Ukrainian fashion, art, and culture. Featuring fabulous looks thanks to Ukie Boutique and Miss Ukrainian Canada 2016 & Fashion Designer Iryna Zhytaryuk, ladies of the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble streamed down the runway throughout the evening. In addition to the sales of fashion, fundraising elements included a silent auction highlighting contemporary purses made in Ukrainian; a pop-up shop of Ukrainian inspired jewelry; and Hillberg and Berk of Dragon Den’s fame. Art also supported the evening’s fundraising goals featuring award-winning artists Lesia Maruschak and Ben Wasylyshen, with much of the funds raised going to two great Canadian Charities doing super things in Ukraine – NASHI and Dopomoha. Well done KRASUNYA on a fabulous event!

UDW The Magazine wants to feature you and your dance group in our magazine! is looking for your behind the scenes photos to feature in our magazine! Whatever event you had in the last six months, wherever you happened to be in the world, whatever you happened to be doing with your Ukrainian dance group – we want to share it with the Ukrainian dance community! For more information or to send in photos, write to Editor@UkrainianDanceWorld.com

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UDW SHMATK Y

UKR BODY ART

Ukrainian pride has been soaring in recent years, in large part care of a madman who would try to break up the homeland for his own personal gain. Demonstration of this pride comes in many forms – but perhaps none so long-lasting as the tattoo. Take a look at some of the most incredible examples of body-art showcasing beauty – yes, but also strength and solidarity in a purpose never before so important.

Do you have a Ukrainian-inspired tattoo? Send us a pic – we might just use in our next edition! Write to Editor@UkrainianDanceWorld.com

With social media messaging soaking up the free moments in everyone’s life these days, it’s pretty nice when someone takes the time out to send you a personalised greeting! And that’s exactly what happened thanks to the seniors of the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from Yorkton, SK over the holiday season. With an enrollment of 120, one of the things that makes this school unique is the range in age from its youngest – 3-years-old – to its most mature – 63-years of age! “Merry Christmas from Taylor, Paige, Kailee, Kacey, Hanna, Shaylee, Emma, Maddox, Cody, and Joseph!” – came the message. A big thanks and a late right back atcha from all of us here at UDW!

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UNUSUAL USES OF UKRAINIAN VODK A

ON THE COVER

Kresania or Кресаня is a typical men’s Hutsul hat from the Verkovyna region in the Carpathian mountains. They say it is round like the moon and is often decorated brightly with many colours and a peacock feather.

(aka your dido’s hooch) # 26 Vodka is a great way to deodorise your feet! Throw a shot or two into a basin and soak those bad boys for up to ten minutes for an extra deep clean. You can also mix with water and spray directly into your shoes to keep your tootsies naturally fresh. Great for dance shoes too!

UDW The Magazine is a labour of love. The time the entire team spends on making sure the information we provide and the stories we write is created because it’s something myself, Vince, Kyrylo, and Danya see great value in. We spend hours, literally, pouring over topics in order to ensure that what ends up in your hands is something of not only of interest but also of importance to you.

If you have an idea, a story, or a feature you’d like to see in the magazine, please get in touch with us.

We want to hear from you! Write to Editor@UkrainianDanceWorld.com

UKRAINIAN Ж АРТ (JOKE)

It’s not a 6-pack, it’s not a 12-pack, it’s a HO-PAK!!! Yuck, yuck, yuck....

THE I-CAN-STILL-EAT-DESSERT-DURING-DANCE-SEASON DESSERT

You’ve been working hard all season long and gosh darn it you deserve a little sweet nothing as a reward. Made with (mostly) healthy ingredients, this is one of our favourites to nibble on after practice and put a smile on your face as you dream about getting in that triple tour with pizazz (and keep your tummy from rumbling throughout the night)!

SYRNYK (UKRAINIAN CHEESECAKE)

What you’ll need: * 750 g cottage cheese * 4 eggs * 100 g butter * 200 g sugar * 50 g flour (save some for dusting the pan) * juice of half a lemon * 2.5 g vanilla * 100 g raisins

What You’ll Do: 1. Turn oven on to 375 and grease square baking pan (20 cm x 20 cm works well). Dust the pan with butter 2. Separate egg whites from yolks, and place the whites in an electric mixer. Turn to “beat” 3. Put the yolks in a separate bowl.

Add half of the sugar and mix by hand while the whites are being beaten by the mixer 4. Once the whites have doubled in size, add the remaining sugar little by little until foam is thick and stiff 5. In the meantime, place the cottage cheese in a food processor and surge until smooth 6. Add yolk/sugar mixture 7. Melt butter and pour into the cheese mixture. Mix well 8. Add the lemon juice, vanilla, and flour 9. Add the raisins 10. Mix in the stiff egg white mixture slowly, careful not to remove too

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

much of the air you just worked so hard to get in the egg whites Pour the mixture into the pan and place in the oven for 15 minutes Turn the temperature to 350 and bake for another 45 minutes Turn off the oven, and let cool to room temperature ***IMPORTANT: DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DURING WHILE THE CAKE IS BAKING OR COOLING!!!*** Remove cake from the oven, then pan, and place in the refrigerator over night Slice up and enjoy!

Try adding other ingredients instead of or in addition to raisins for a different taste!

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COSTUMES AND COMPETITIONS

TWO GREAT COMPETITIONS WITH UDW THE MAGAZINE!

L EHEN DA DA NCERS OF AUS TR A L I A IN TIME SQUA R E N YC

CAPTURED IN COSTUME! Are you and your group going on tour to some fabulous destination?

Make sure you snap a shot of you in Ukrainian costume (or part thereof) in an interesting and/or entertaining pose somewhere fabulous in the world and you’re automatically entered to win. We’ve already got entries from a number of groups – don’t miss out!

For both competitions, a bottle of vodka will be awarded to the runner-up care of Canada’s best vodka producer – High Stick Vodka (should the winner be under legal drinking age, the prize will be awarded to the dancer’s parent or legal guardian – they could probably use a good stiff drink after all the years of Ukrainian dance support!).

For more information, visit www.HighStickVodka.com

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UDW The Magazine!

UKR AINIAN TRICKS & TREATS ON FILM! Have you been honing your favourite trick to get audiences on their feet?

Catch your best jump, turn, trick, or treat on film or videa and send it in – you’ll be automatically entered to win!

THE GR AND PRIZE: Fully-paid participation in either Virsky Spring Training or Summer Academy in Kyiv, Ukraine. This includes all dance training with Virsky instructors, hotel, meals (where applicable), and transportation (where applicable). DOES NOT include airfare, or spending money. Prize MUST BE claimed and used by December 2018.

For more information about dates and times of upcoming training sessions, visit www.CobblestoneFreeway.ca

Photo: PolitNavigator

RUNNER- UP PRIZES:

RULES:

For both contests, images may be sent to Editor@ UkrainianDanceWorld.com and MUST be a minimum of 1MB. Standard ensemble images will not be accepted – please be creative! All images meeting UDW The Magazine requirements will qualify for the final vote on 31 December 2017 for their respective grand prizes!

The winner will be contacted privately and announced in the first issue of 2018. Start sending in your pics now and enter to win – it’s that easy!

THE GR AND PRIZE: A pair of custom-made Hopachok footwear from Postmark Ukraine.

Your order may include one of the following: male or female boots or character shoes in any preferred colour. Prize must be claimed and ordered by December 2018.

For more information, visit www.PostmarkUkraine.com

www.UkrainianPatriot.com The @UkrainianPatriot.com email is available to anyone and easily integrates to work through your existing Email Service Provider (ESP)

It costs $10 and takes no time at all

75% of all proceeds go to Patriot Defence – a fabulous organisation helping soldiers fighting in the east of Ukraine overcome issues associated with PTSD

Photo: PolitNavigator

We all give a little and together we can help a lot Signing up for @UkrainianPatriot.com with Statement Email is quick and easy - your new @UkrainianPatriot.com email works through your existing Email system within seconds.

Keep using the system you like – just use a more personal Email address whenever you wish!

Sign up, show your support for Ukraine, tell the world you are a Ukrainian Patriot!

Statement Email

LISTINGS

UDW THE MAGAZINE LISTINGS Need help with a contact? Look no further – we’ve got you covered.

AIRLINES www.flyuia.com www.lot.com www.klm.com

FUNDING

www.abuda.ca www.saskculture.ca www.acuarts.com

www.ucc.ca

POS T

MUSEUMS

www.meest.net

www.costumesbypaul.com

www.umcalberta.org www.umc.sk.ca

FA SHION

MUSIC

www.cfcw.com www.facebook.com/ UkrainianIndependentRadio

COS TUMES

www.ukieboutique.com

SOUVENIRS www.ukreations.ca TELEVISION www.kontaktglobal.com TOURS TO UK R AINE www.cobblestonefreeway.ca TR AINING www.shumka.com/school-of-dance/ syllabus/

www.yevshan.com

Our listings are a currently a FREE opportunity to promote your business.

If you know of a business or organsiation that should be included for the benefit of all, please get in touch at Editor@ UkrainianDanceWorld.com

TOURS TO UKR AINE www.cobblestonefreeway.ca

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NEWS & LOC AL EVENTS

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R ADIO

RESOURCES www.ukrfolk.ualberta.ca

RES TAUR ANTS www.tasteofukraine.com

SHOPPING www.postmarkukraine.com

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No problem. We have a fantastic design team at the ready at no additional cost.

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with UDW The Magazine and get access to the Ukrainian community across Canada, the US, Australia, the UK, and soon Brasil!

Need help with your design?

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