Ukrainian dancers performing the Hopak at Toronto Ukrainian Festival 2009

[sockitt]

By definition, traditional implies a handed down unchanged format. I for one, like to see a familiar 'dance'. There is a place for innovation and moving art forward but, keeping authenticity preserves and renews the identity of a culture. You cannot know where you are going until you know where you have come from.

[ivankamartha]

lleclerc@yahoo.com



[ivankamartha]

imzdyrko@yahoo.com



[1945Sovietunion]

the hopak is the same if the Belorussian dance it so why can't the ukrainians do the same

[ukiechop]

standard hopak for most groups

[Bazylewiczkuban]

For fuck sakes. How many groups have done a hopak to Virsky's music while copying most of the steps? this is getting ridiculous. I am from a ukie dance group in Oshawa so I do know some shit.

[ukrcdncom]

Are they supposed to come up with new ones?

[LeaderMan]

@ukrcdncom Most groups use their own original choreography, created either by their own artistic director, or hired out to others. It's popular to use Virsky's Hopak since it's the most famous. In this case it was used as a base, and some new choreography was used to replace parts of the original. My own opinion is that not many groups can do Virsky's choreography justice, so in general new and original choreography should be used.

[MercifulMe]

@ukrcdncom Yes, yes they are.

[SourCreamPerogies]

@Bazylewiczkuban Kay the dance moves have been the same for well longer than your life time and hey when you have a good song you work with it it's the most traditional one

[ukiecruzer]

Not just any dancers , but, BARVINOK MISSISSAUGA