Protecting Ukrainian Identity Through Dance

Ukraine is at war, not only for its land but for its identity. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, the world has witnessed destruction, identity erasure, and numerous human rights violations on an unprecedented scale. Russian forces have allegedly committed numerous war crimes that have destroyed the cities across Ukraine. This assault continues today, with an estimated 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers having died as of January 2025. Around 150,000 Russian soldiers have been killed. 

But another battle ensues beyond the bombed-out cities and the hollowed infrastructure: the fight for cultural existence. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to erase the cultural identity of Ukraine by denying their culture and nationality separate from Russia. This has become more than a war—it is an attempt to silence Ukraine's past and erase its future. 

The Cost of Conflict

In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine to overthrow its government in Kyiv and take possession of Ukrainian territory. There was strong Ukrainian resistance and notable international condemnation of the illegal aggression. Russian forces targeted and severely damaged large cultural centers and cities such as Mariupol and Kharkiv. They have also targeted museums and cultural institutions for looting and destruction. Historic monuments have been crushed to dust and ashes.

Living Traditions

Ukraine is a nation of rich artistic traditions, expressed through music, dance, and visual arts that are deeply intertwined with Ukraine's identity. The war threatens to silence these traditions and erase them. Art is more than a decoration. Art can be defiance, identity, and resilience. Throughout Ukraine's history, dance has provided an outlet for the expression of identity and a weapon against cultural erasure. 

Dance is much more than physical movement in Ukraine. It is a story, a tradition, a ritual, and a voice to express identity. Each region in Ukraine has its own set of unique dance styles that reflect the regional history and traditions of the land. The high-energy Hopak from central and eastern Ukraine features acrobatics and quick moves that were originally meant to emulate scenes from a victorious battle. The elegant and swift movements of the Kolomyika come from western Ukraine’s Galicia region, known for its strong rhythmic identity.

Ukrainian folk dance is passed down through generations, preserving history through living traditions. It's a way for communities to come together, celebrate, and honor their shared ancestry and tradition. Dancers wear traditional clothing embroidered with symbols of honor and prosperity as a means to appreciate history and culture. Joyful music played on the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian string instrument, echoes narratives of past triumphs and strife, communicated through music and dance. 

Dance in Ukraine serves to express identity and connect with people. Under Soviet rule, Ukrainian culture was notably censored, but folk traditions and folk dancing remained a secret means of preserving collective identity. Under the shadow of war today, dancers are once again taking the stage. They dance in bomb shelters, refugee camps, and rubble-turned streets that serve as battlefields, carrying on their cultural legacy.

Dance and Activism

Dance is more than just physical movement—it is a powerful form of activism. People use dance to connect with their past and keep their future alive. From the ballet of the Soviet Union to the toyi-toyi of southern Africa, dance is living resistance. 

Dance is a language of activism that transcends political barriers to ignite change. It can communicate hope where words fail. In moments of political unrest or social injustice, dance expresses pain and hope when slogans and phrases cannot. It commands attention, forcing people to stop and listen to the message behind the movement. 

A Move For Action

Ukraine's fight for its national identity transcends the battlefield. It has become a war for culture and survival. As bombs fall on cities and monuments crumble, Ukrainian dancers continue to move as a means of defiance and strength. With every step and every jump, Ukrainian dancers make a statement that they are here and they are not going anywhere. But we must move with them. You can donate to organizations meant to preserve Ukrainian culture, such as the Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance Ensemble here in the Twin Cities. Cheremosh brings young Ukrainian dancers onto the stage to preserve their family’s culture and keep traditional folk dances alive. 

Whether you are a dancer, an artist, or an activist, you can help amplify Ukraine's voice and help keep its traditions alive. Attend performances, share their performances, and support their artists. Honor their dances and listen to the movements. You can help stop their voices from being silenced. And you can help make sure that the movement does not stop. 

Stand for Ukraine. Dance for Ukraine.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are the author’s only and do not reflect an official position of the University of Minnesota, the Human Rights Program, or the College of Liberal Arts. As an institution of higher education that values and promotes free speech, civil discourse, and human rights we welcome a variety of perspectives and opinions from our student contributors that are consistent with these values.