Dances

Folk traditions become vital when communities have to sustain their nation outside their homeland. 'It's so important to reunite people with their traditions, and show kids what Ukrainian dancing looks like,' says Vladyslava Bondar, who gave dancing lessons at Kupala in 2022.

• first steps!
  

If you're local and would like to learn some simple Ukrainian folk dances, Adur Ukraine Support has a small, friendly folk dancing group which meets in Shoreham. All are welcome, and no experience is necessary. 

Traditionally, women and men dance with each other at Kupala celebrations. But there are very few men in Brighton's Ukrainian community, because nearly all men under 60 have to stay in Ukraine in case they are required to serve in the defence forces. New times demand new solutions: women play more varied roles in the rituals – a trend that had already begun before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
photo: Przemek Karpicki