There is a new TikTok trend connected with Ukraine: users make a video of them dancing the Ukrainian national dance hopak to a joking folk song Ty zh mene pidmanula (You tricked me). In total, the dance was filmed by more than 1.500 users gaining millions of likes and views. The French, Germans, Chinese, Americans, Israelis, the South Africans have already participated in the flash mob. Some even got to wear Ukrainian folk costumes.
Ukrainian hopak originated in the Cossacks times in the 16th and 18th centuries and helped to demonstrate the agility of the Zaporizhzhia army. Now this dance is considered Ukrainian national and can be done solo, paired or group. Hopak regularly appears on the international scene. In 1993, hopak was shown in the Hollywood film My Life with Nicole Kidman, where the protagonist was at a Ukrainian wedding. In 1981, the future King of Great Britain Charles danced hopak in Derby with a Ukrainian troup. In 2012, Ukrainian boxer Usyk performed hopak at the Olympic Games by, celebrating the victory. Recently, The Royal Swedish Ballet dancers participated in a flash mob near the Eiffel Tower and posted several videos; the most popular was watched 4 million times.
Now Ukrainian hopak is popularised by young people worldwide. What does this mean for Ukraine? First and foremost is the recognition of the existence of Ukraine and its culture. Support in the cultural sphere makes it possible to develop and preserve Ukrainian material and spiritual values.
