Think jack-o'-lanterns are frightening? Try being a man in Ukraine. Then you'll truly understand what it's like to fear a pumpkin. For centuries in the Eastern European nation, a pumpkin meant one thing: No, I won't marry you. An old tradition held that a would-be suitor would visit a woman's house to propose. If the answer was yes, there was family toasting and celebration. If no, the poor guy was silently handed a pumpkin. The tradition dates back to medieval times and sour

An East Slavic tribe, mostly known as the white Croats, are considered the ancestors and founders of the Lemko settlements. Long ago they lived on both sides of the Western Carpathians. The name "white" at that time meant "Western". In old beliefs colors were used as geographic markers, so that ‘white’ indicated west, ‘black’ - north, ‘red’ – south, and ‘green’ - east. The name "croat" (‘khorvat’, ‘gorvat’) meant that this group of Slavs settled in the mountains. The name ‘Le

Virsky Spring Training is a joint project Ukrainian Dance World, Cobblestone Freeway Tours and the Virsky Ensemble. This is an excellent opportunity for young aspiring dancers to get Ukrainian dance training at its source - from Virsky's artistic directors, choreographers, and dancers in Kyiv, Ukraine. For more information on the Training Program, Fees and Participation Details, please visit www.cobblestonefreeway.ca/tour-package/virsky-spring-training/ #video #VirskySpringT

I lean against the bar, hunched over with my head between my hands struggling to catch my breath. Sweat dripping off my forehead, my body soaking my shirt with perspiration. My muscles burn, my lungs ache and I feel light headed from the heat. It might be a Friday night, but the daytime temperatures mixed with the dozens of bodies in the studio make for a proverbial oven which feels like it’s cooking us alive. The ongoing joke is that Ukrainian dancers are chronically dehydra

The Tambourine Dance. Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble of P.Virsky Choreography - Myroslav Vantukh Learn More about Virsky Spring Training Learn more about Ukrainian Dance Workshop Tour #video #virsky #virsky #vantukh #tambourine #VirskySpringTraining