This dance can be considered both a “folk dance” (as it is inspired by hopak dances performed by peasants in villages in central Ukraine from the 17th to the 20th centuries), and an “ethnic dance,” (often performed as a symbol of Ukrainian-ness to non-Ukrainian audiences, thus actively engaging cultural boundaries).

See many other Canadian Ukrainian groups’ performances on youtube by typing “Hopak Canada.”

This dance may be the most famous Ukrainian staged dance in the world. It is often hopak that comes to mind first when people think of Ukrainian dance. Hundreds or thousands of Hopaks have been choreographed, performed tens of thousands of times by troupes around the world.  Seven or eight minutes long Hopaks typically  feature large group formations, quickly changing couple formations, and especially acrobatic solos and small-group highlights. The style of contemporary hopak choreographies focuses on technical virtuosity and precision.