In Ukrainian tradition SKRYNIA – chest, trunk, coffer - is a symbol of prosperity, preservation of family traditions, respect for the work and memory of ancestors. Traditional Ukrainian chests, as though, send a message – only by preserving and honoring everything family-related, the spiritual and material heritage of our ancestors, the younger generation will be able to find peace, gain prosperity, welfare and multiply their riches – both spiritual and material, tangible one

"Kozaks of Podillia" academic Kozak song and dance ensemble The ensemble’s history begins back in 1938 in the city of Kamyanets-Podilsky. The group started out as a choir cappella, which included the best amateur and professional artists. In 1945 the Symphony moves to a new regional center - Proskuriv. In 1954 Proskuriv is renamed into Khmelnytsky. The choir gets reformed into a song and dance ensemble called "Podolianka" and works under that name till 1989. In 1989, on the i

"Remember that following songs, that hold the leading position in our folk tradition, dance comes at a close second. If we love and cherish our sister – song, we will also love her brother - dance" Vasyl Verkhovynets Even if Verkhovynets’ only contribution to the development of Ukrainian dance was his "Theory of Ukrainian folk dance", that would have been enough to forever engrave his nme at the top of the list of prominent figures in the world of Ukrainian Dance of the early

"Repeat and rehearse, but never repeat yourself ..." Pavlo Virsky Pavlo Virsky was born on February 25, 1905 in Odesa, Ukraine. In 1923 he started school at the Odessa Music & Drama college and after graduating, continued his studies at the Moscow Theater college. Even back then, dance – HIS dance - was already his life's purpose. That’s right, he made it his own, because it wasn’t a classic set of gestures and movements on stage accompanied by music, it was a mini play that

Volyn State Academic Folk Choir The group was established in 1978 in Lutsk, on the base of the Volyn Regional Philharmonic. One of the organizers and the first artistic director of the company was composer, People's Artist of Ukraine, A. Pashkevych. Since 1993, Alexander Stadnik has carried on his artistic legacy. The group’s main cast is made up of about 80 artists, 24 of those being the dance troupe. This talented bunch is led by and experienced and talented choreographer V

Probably everyone who loves Ukrainian dance, knows of the Arkan dance. But do you know the story behind it? Arkan dance was the key element in the ritual consecration of twenty-year-old guys in Hutsulschyna, symbolizing their transition into adulthood, into becoming a ‘lehin’ (aka a real man). After this ritual, one would get the right to participate in men’s dances, carry a ‘bartka’ or ‘topirets’ (ax and walking stick) and wear a wide belt (cheres). This ‘dance initiation’ a

Hutsuliya National Academic Hutsul Song and Dance Ensemble of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine "Hutsuliya" was founded in May 1939 by a famous Ukrainian composer and cultural leader Yaroslav Barnych. Another important figure in the history and formation of the group was a choreographer, anthropologist and performer Yaroslav Chuperchuk. Presently, their artistic legacy lives on through the works of the ensemble’s current lead choreographer Ivan Kuryliuk. The ensemble promotes Hutsul f