Traditional Ukrainian folk dancing is studied as part of the Royal Academy of Dance’s Grade 3 syllabus. Having sat their Grade 2 examination in the Spring Term, Year 5 class ballet have begun to study this traditional style of dance. The examiner who created the Grade 3 dance spent time in Ukrainian towns and villages watching how the local communities perform their traditional dance style.

Lessons have focused not only on the technique of the new steps and new positions but have also focused on the traditions related to the headdresses the girls wear. Miss Ross felt it was particularly poignant to study the history of these wonderful headdresses in relation to the current global situation. The dance they study uses a headdress, based on traditional ‘Vinok’, headdresses. Traditionally, the flower wreaths were used to signify the status of females in society. Young girls would decorate their hair, making a simple headband with flowers and ribbons. Fresh flowers were used in Spring and Summer, whilst fake ones made with paper and cloth were used during the colder months. As the girls grew older and matured into women, the flower crowns would become more intricate and detailed.

The girls have thoroughly enjoyed learning to dance imagining the heavy headdresses and have relished the challenge of the much more advanced and challenging steps that come with this new style of dance.

Miss Ross, Teacher of Classical Ballet and Dance