Choreography as a language of social issues: Participation in an international project

Last week concluded at the Department of Choreography with fascinating stories and impressions from the international experience of fourth-year undergraduate student in Choreography, Khrystyna Omelchenko. From September 13 to 21, 2025, she took part in the Erasmus+ project “Dance for Change: Bridging Street Style Movements with Social Messages”, organized in Väibla, Estonia, with the support of Stylёva and Partner Up Estonia.

The project was designed for dancers of all styles who were ready to share their vision of dance and creatively combine movements. The event brought together dancers from Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia, Spain, and Belgium. During the project, participants exchanged experience and skills through freestyle sessions, exploring each other’s dance styles, their history, and influence.

“Every day throughout the week, dancers took part in activities such as lectures on the history of choreography, discussions on social issues, movement sessions, dance therapy classes, dance jams, and more. They also had the opportunity to represent their countries at Cultural Evenings, sharing cultural features, fun facts, traditional food and drinks, as well as teaching folk dances and games,” Khrystyna shared.

The main goal and outcome of the project was to create a video focused on a social message that could be conveyed through dance. Participants discussed pressing social problems, dilemmas, stereotypes, and prejudices, and then, after selecting a topic, prepared a video performance dedicated to the chosen issue. Khrystyna worked on a performance about the war together with three Ukrainian dancers, proudly representing her university and country.

Overall, the experience gained, new acquaintances, and vivid memories became extremely valuable for all participants, not only broadening their professional horizons but also inspiring further creative and professional growth.

Based on materials from the Department of Choreography and Fitness