Tatiana Shaforostova β one of the precursors of the dance in Ukraine β laughs as she tells me how she started belly dancing. I was impressed: I could not understand how a woman could isolate her body parts like that. When Ukraine gained independence and began opening to the outside world in the s, people were keen on trying new, intriguing, and exotic art forms. The female lead character was a belly dancer. Whatever the reason for embracing belly dancing, Ukrainians have rapidly achieved popularity and success at an international level.
Belly dance contests abound. Aware of the dangers of cultural appropriation, many Ukrainian belly dancers spend long periods of time in Cairo to learn the traditional Egyptian style.
On February the 24 th, the glitter and glamour of Ukrainian belly dance was overshadowed by the brutal experience of war. It was impossible to withdraw cash. Over the next few days we started hearing explosions getting closer and louder. So we took shelter in the Osokorky subway station; we spent entire days sheltered there with other people. I cannot play loud music as I need to remain vigilant against possible attacks.
Despite the undeniable logistical and psychological barriers, dancing has been used as a coping strategy among conflict-affected civilians for centuries, and Ukraine is no exception. After the panic of the first few days, artists have gradually starting to dance again to help themselves, their audience, and their students deal with war.
Anna Chepets β who is just 18 years old and already a star β is among the few dancers who have no intention of fleeing the country. I was in a bomb shelter for 5 days, I was scared. A firm believer in the healing power of dance, Tatiana Shaforostova has recently reopened the doors of her dance studio in Odessa.
