CENTRAL/DNIPRO

Central Ukraine occupies a significant portion of the Ukrainian state on either side of the Dneiper River, which is often used as the most notable geographic feature to separate eastern and western Ukraine. While this region is largely responsible for Ukraine’s distinction as ‘the breadbasket of Europe’ because of its prolific wheat crops, it is also Ukraine’s most urbanized region. Ukraine’s state capital Kyiv is situated in the heart of Central Ukraine.

Central Ukrainian costuming is internationally the best-known of all Ukrainian regions and represents the stereotypical Ukrainian outfit. Because of the large geographical area Central Ukraine covers, there exists significant local variation in costuming though. Women can generally be found wearing floral headpieces adorned with ribbons, blouses with geometric red and black embroidery, including sleeves often, and skirts of many different fabrics and styles. Men wear baggy, loose fitting pants tucked into leather boots, colourful sashes tied in the front with ends left hanging at the sides, and at times sheepskin hats. Male shirts are embroidered much like, or an exact match to female blouses.

The choreography of Central Ukraine will conjure up the image of what most people associate with Ukrainian dance. Long, sweeping and graceful movements are accompanied by acrobatic tricks and quick spins. Ukraine’s national dance, the renowned Hopak, originates from Central Ukraine.