"Tantsuyut Vse!" - "Everyone Dance!" This phrase is one of the most recurring in the life of a Russian. Balalika, Garmoshka, Bayan, and a glass of vodka are the perfect recipe for a great dance-off celebration. For the Russian, dance is a Celebration of Life... on many different levels!

Russian dance has long been the inspiration for composers, choreographers and artists alike. It has been expressed both in the individual form, as well as a social celebration - "horovod" (хоровод). Interestingly, in the old days, the Russian aristocrats did not dance, but have often attended the performances by traveling troupes.

In the Russian villages, "horovod" or a group dance usually performed in a circle while holding hands was a way of socializing and bringing the community together.

Vast multi-cultural makeup of the former USSR has really contributed to the development of Russian dance. The dance of each cultural group would often reflect their traditions and customs, as well as showcase the physical abilities of the dancers, that often were very demanding.

One of the Georgia's traditional dances below reflects that quite well (Performed by Suhishvili Georgean National Ballet):

The Moiseyev Ballet of Russia is one of the most well-known Russian dance performance troupes:

Dance has also been giving people support in the times of hardship! Russian soldiers and marines have their famous dances, really displaying their tremendous physical abilities:

Dance "Yablochko" (Apple), performed by Moiseyev Ballet:

Dance of the Russian Soldiers, performed by the "Red Army Dance Group":

Some moves of this dance look as they belong to the most advanced breakdance traditions.