Trepak

Russian researchers have pointed out the similarities to the Kamarinskaya or Barynya, while Ukrainian researchers have compared it to the Hopak with nuances of a Kozachok. The Russian researcher Larisa Timoshenko describes the process as follows: "The Trepak usually began with an “entrance.” The man who wanted to dance would step into the middle of the circle, straighten up, tilt his head back slightly, put his hands on his hips or cross them over his chest, and stand there for a while, concentrating before the dance and allowing the audience to feel the importance of the moment. After a few seconds, another dancer would come out to meet him and take the same pose. The accordionists would sharply stretch the bellows of their accordions, the first dancer would strike the ground with the sole of his foot, wave his arms widely, with his right arm raised higher than his left, and the dance would begin. One stood in place, performing various knee movements with his feet, moving his shoulders and the entire upper part of his torso. The other dancer spun around in place, threw himself to his knees, rushed around in a squat, crawled, twisted, and kicked his legs in different directions. All this was performed with enthusiasm, passion, and complete dedication."