Folk dance

The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to dances that have historical significance in European culture and history. For other cultures, the terms “ethnic dance” or “traditional dance” are sometimes used, although (“traditional dance”) may include the terms of the .

A capacious and concise description of folk dances was given by N. V. Gogol in his Petersburg Notes of 1836:

Look, folk dances are in different corners of the world: the Spaniard does not dance like the Swiss, the Scot, like the Tenerov German, Russian is not like the French like the Asian. Even in the provinces of the same state, dance is changing. Northern Russ does not dance as much as a Little Russian, like a Southern Slav, like a Pole, or a Finn: one speaks a dance, the other insensible; one is frantic, loose, the other calm; one is tense, heavy, the other is light, airy. Where did this variety of dances come from? It was born from the character of the people, their life and way of doing things. A people who have led a proud and abusive life express the same pride in their dance; among the careless and free people, the same boundless will and poetic self-forgetfulness are reflected in dances; the people of the fiery climate left the same bliss, passion and jealousy in their national dance.

There are a number of modern dances, such as hip-hop , that develop spontaneously, but the term "folk dance", as a rule, does not apply to them; instead, the term "street dance" is used. The term "folk dance" is intended for dances that are largely related to tradition and originated at a time when there were differences between dances of the "common people" and dances of "high society".

The terms ethnic dance and traditional dance are used to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, almost all folk dances are ethnic.

Not all ethnic dances are folk dances, for example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin, are not considered folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "Religious dances" because of their purpose .

In folk dance, professional art aesthetizes folklore, embellishes it (and sometimes, deliberately coarsens it), in general, it complicates and modifies it. Dancers and choreographers strive to show their skills, to attract the attention of the public with plot scenic compositions ^[1] . The creativity of professional folk dance ensembles is characterized by stage processing - the creation of new artistic works based on traditional dances, which are not based entirely on folklore material and are not authentic folk art ^[2] .

The characteristic features of the general Slavic culture began to take shape in the distant past, this applies to songs, dances, clothes and even hairstyles. The first dances arose as a manifestation of emotional impressions from the outside world. Dance movements also developed as a result of imitation of the movements of animals, birds, and later - gestures that reflected certain labor processes (for example, some round dance). The original dance, like the song, performed a magical role, therefore, among the calendar-ritual dances, the most archaic features were preserved.

Russian dance

Russian dances are an integral part of Russian national culture.

The famous scholar of folklore of the peoples of Russia, Jacob Shtelin, wrote in the 18th century ^[3] :

In the whole country, among the common people, it has long been a custom to sing in the fields and to dance Russian dances to the singing of girls and women. ... In all the dance art of Europe there is no way to find a dance that could surpass the Russian village dance if it is performed by a beautiful teenage girl or young woman, and no other national dance in the world can be compared in attractiveness to this dance.

The movements in some dances imitated the movements of animals and birds, in others they reflected labor processes (eating, harvesting, weaving). The original dance, like the song, performed a magical role, therefore, many archaic features remained in the calendar - ritual dances.

The connection of Russian folk dance with rituals was characteristic of many round dances and some types of dance. Solo dancing, dancing and quadrille were not associated with rituals.

Russian folk dance, depending on the area, is performed in its own way. In the North - powerfully, majestically. In the central part - it’s calm and lyrical, then lively and fun. In the South - fervently, with udyu. However, there are common features of Russian folk dance, due in no small part to the national character of the people. Male dance is distinguished by unusual cheerfulness, humor, scope, respectful attitude to partners. Female dance is characterized by smoothness, intimacy, femininity, nobility, despite the fact that sometimes it is performed lively and fervently ^[4] .

Ukrainian dance

The specifics of life of the ancient East Slavic tribes - Drevlyans , Dregovich , Vyatichi , Northerners , Volhynians , White Croats , Buzhan and others - served as the basis for the original, original, choreographic art of the Ukrainian people. All ceremonies, magical treatment, spells, etc., were directly dependent and were organically connected with agriculture and the animalistic cult.

Dance movements are characteristic of “ Hopak ”, “ Cossack ”, “ Snowstorms ”, form the basis of dances in Central Ukraine, determine the main national features of Ukrainian folk choreography, if you look at Ukrainian round dances and subject dances, it is easy to notice that among these works are works of the same name. All Ukrainian folk dances that have been preserved in the artistic life of the people are performed with musical accompaniment. The Ukrainian people created their original, original choreographic art, which occupies one of the leading places in the world spiritual culture.

Belorussian dance

For a long time, Belarusian dance was little known even at home and rarely went beyond the village ^[5] . The great merit of the troupe of Ignat Buinitsky , the talented nugget who created the Belarusian Folk Theater in 1907, in which Buinitsky himself participated as a director, actor and dancer ^[ in the appearance and popularization of Belarusian folk dances on the stage venues not only in Belarus, but also outside it, ^{[ 5]} . The concerts performed folk songs, works of Belarusian poets and dances to the accompaniment of the traditional "music" - violins, cymbals and pipes ^[5] . In the stage interpretation of folk dances I. Buinitsky almost did not depart from the folklore basis ^[5] .

Belarusian national choreography has preserved the rich creative heritage of the past. The most popular Belarusian folk dances are “ Lyavonikha ”, “ Kryzhachok ”, “Yurachka”, “Polka-Yanka”, “Charot”, “Taukachyki”, “Chobaty”, “Lyanka”, “Kola”, “Bulba”, “Rouchnіki” ”,“ Mlynok ”,“ Kassky ”,“ Kozachka ”,“ Myakitsa ”,“ Mikita ”,“ Dudaryki ”,“ Goby ”,“ Kazyry ” ^[6] .

The peculiarity of the Belarusian dance is dynamism and cheerfulness, emotionality and collective character of performance ^[6] . Currently, Belarusian folk dance is represented by professional dance groups, the most famous of which are the State Dance Ensemble of Belarus, the ensemble " Khoroshki ", "Lyavonikha".

• Folk quadrille
• folk music
• Ethnochoreology
• folk song
• Folk music of the Slavs

• Aleksyutovich L.K. Belorussian folk dances, round dances, games / Ed. M. Ya. Greenblatt. - Mn. : Higher School, 1978.- 528 p.
• Vasilenko K. Vocabulary of Ukrainian folk dance. - K .: Art - 1985
• Verkhovinets V. Theory of Ukrainian Folk Dance. The fifth species., Dopov. - K .: Mus. Ukraine, 1990
• Gorlenko V.F. The first ethnographic program in Ukraine. // "Folk art and ethnography", 1957. - No. 4.
• Gumenyuk A. Folk choreographic art of Ukraine. Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. - Kiev, 1969
• Mayorova O. Ukrainian Dances // “Art and Education”, No. 4, 2000. p.26-37
• Folk dance. Russian folk dances // Folk art culture. Textbook (Ukrainian) / ed. T.I. Baklanova, E. Yu. Streltsova. - M .: MGUKI, 2000 .-- 344 p.
• Ukrainian triple music . - M .: Melody, 1984 .- 4 hydraulic fracturing: 33 rpm., Stereo.

• Ukrainian folk dance songs - words, sheet music
• Ukrainian folk dances - descriptions, illustrations and instructions of all Ukrainian folk dances in full.
• Folk festivals