Nothing could compete with the wild heat that was terrorizing Kyivites throughout the weekend. But then the impossible happened. Last week the hot rhythms of the samba, rumba, and cha-cha- cha warmed Kyiv’s Palace of Sports to record temperatures.
Dance couples from more than 20 countries came to demonstrate their mastery. This was the first time that Ukraine hosted the European Championships for professionals in the Latin American program, and the show turned out to be truly grand.
TWO IN ONE
Colorful posters appeared on the streets of Kyiv long before the championship began. However, only attentive passersby noticed that the 12th international dance competitions of Kyiv Open 2007 would take place between July 21 and 23 within the framework of the 1st European Sports Games.
“We deliberately approved the decision to hold two parallel events,” Ihor Soronovych, a member of the organizing committee and Master of Sports of Ukraine, told The Day. “We wanted to gather as many people who would be interested in this as possible. Latin dance professionals put on an impressive show, and this time dancers from all over Ukraine came to the competition. It is important for them to see world-class dance stars.”
BEST COSTUMES SAVED FOR THE FINAL
The costumes worn by the dance couples are worth describing. They were made of the thinnest chiffon, light silk, and various spangles, gems, and pastes. The luxurious style of the competitors’ costumes in the standard and Latin program is a rarity even during Haute Couture weeks.
The youngest dancers do not wear such dainty costumes. The organizers say that head adornments and jewel-encrusted dresses and shirts are forbidden. The organizers took this step so that the dancers’ parents would not spend too much money. However, the costumes of the older group of young dancers over 14 feature both feathers and stones.
“We try to keep the best costumes for the final,” said Odesa native Dasha Mishchenko, putting on a new dress. At 13 years old, she is the junior champion of Ukraine, but she performed in the youth category at this year’s Kyiv Open.
“My partner is older. He is 19,” Dasha explained. “I used to dance with another boy, but then I started to dance in a new couple. We have been performing together for a whole season. But I am afraid that I won’t reach the final,” the girl sighed. “I am too young.”
The couples seem to float above the parquet in a beautiful Viennese waltz. The tango, slow fox-trot, and quickstep help the spectators to unburden their hearts.
“SENIORS” ON THE PARQUET
Thanks to the Dances with Stars show, most Ukrainians have become aware of the Standard European Program. More and more people are becoming interested in dancing. One of the couples performing in the Senior Category was taught by Vadym Yelizarov, a member of the jury.
I have to admit that it is especially interesting to watch the performances of the adult dancers, who have not lost their youthful ardor. The passionate samba and cha-cha-cha are met with applause because a real dance is always a story of relations between a man and a woman - and that’s already one reason for dancing.
A EUROPEAN STAR FROM MELITOPIL
The spectators were waiting impatiently for the opening of the European Championships. Latin American dances are such a fantastic sight that even people without any connection to the world of dance can understand the rumba. Professional dance couples tell entire love stories with their bodies, and enchanted audiences listen to them attentively with their eyes.
The participants of the European Championships are an unusually celebrated group. Famous dancers arrived in Kyiv from Russia, Germany, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, Israel, and other countries. Among them are several couples whose demonstration performances cost between $10,000 and $20,000. Among the stars who gathered in Ukraine’s capital is world champion Slavik Kryklyvyy, who now represents Russia. People pack halls to watch our countryman, who was born in Melitopil.
