Gogolfest Returns with La Fura dels Baus

This year Gogolfest will host a performance from the cutting edge Spanish theatre company

Everyone seems to have their own opinion about striptease and I would certainly be lying if I were to say that I was totally unaware of the concept. But regardless of what or even how you think about it, there’s a festival about to take place right here in Kyiv who’s main goal it is to contribute to the change in attitude that many people seem to have toward it.
So, what is it about this art of removing clothes that seems to put a bee in people’s bonnets whenever the topic comes up? The organisers of this event were able to meet with me to answer that very question. But before we got started, I had a little meditation about it on my own. Traditionally, there is a typical group of people who consider stripping to be highly circumspect. They think it’s dirty and indecent. And while it’s true, that it’s not necessarily an event I would consider sharing with my Nan, I don’t know that the buzz it generates should always be negative.

The way I consider it is this: it’s an art. It’s a hot, erotic, suggestive series of movements that first of all can be quite difficult to learn, and secondly take a lot of time, energy and persistence to master. The skill of provoking your audience to a level where they are emotionally involved is very powerful and it’s what all performers strive for. For a dancer, to succeed in creating something truly aesthetically beautiful, goes beyond that and takes skill and talent. To validate my theory, I was fortunate enough to meet up with the people who’ve put together ‘The Second Ukrainian Strip Dance Festival’ and we had a chat about what it is they are trying to promote.
In spite of their young years, Evgenia Chernobay, Alena Hodos and  Ekaterina Paradeski have all had numerous years of training in dance and yoga and have already achieved much when it comes to their professional dancing careers. The interesting thing about each of them is that all of their dancing jobs are done with clothes on, but it’s this additional art of Striptease that they consider an integral part of who they have become. My curiosity got the better of me and without any sort of demureness or decorum, I immediately began bombarding them with my questions.
– StripteaseDance is such a highly debated topic. You use a different term to describe it – why?
Ekaterina: Yes, the term we use is ‘Striptease Movement’. A lot of people mix up those words and it can be a bit of an issue because they mean two different things. What we advocate is a type of movement that focuses on aspects of dance and eroticism; not on taking your clothes off.
Alena: Actually it used to be a huge problem. Girls used to be afraid to come to our classes and it was quite funny because we were constantly explaining the concept of not having to undress. Typically, the boyfriends or husbands of the girls interested in joining would come in and check us out making sure that everything being taught was legitimate. When they realised that what we offered was in fact safe and educational, they were all for it.
– From what I understand, the idea behind Striptease Movement is the first of it’s kind in Ukraine – how long has it been inexistence?
Evgenia: Well.. I would say it’s been around since 2003. And actually we were not the first ones to introduce the concept, but the things we have been involved in have helped to elevate the idea to its current position. In Kyiv, there are more than 40 places where Striptease Dance can be taught but there are only a couple of schools that offer this whole new perception and understanding of Striptease Movement. We are involved in something very big here in Kyiv – we are able to free women from their complexes and personal problems and in so doing we liberate both their personality and their sexuality. It helps them develop, and it also introduces them to the Poplavski Institute!
– What do you think about the origins of this art form – has it come from the East?
Evgenia: I think that it has, but I also think that this type of art appeared in different countries simultaneously. It’s quite amazing how it has influenced cultures all over the world and because of that I think we are not afraid of nudity like we used to be.
Ekaterina: Exactly, and the proof is in the number of girls who attend our classes. Their ages vary greatly as well, from girls in their early 20s to women in their late 40s. The ladies find that they want to express themselves in a way that is more meaningful and Striptease Movement is a great tool for that because regardless of your age, size or inhibitions, the restrictions attached are only those that the participants put on themselves.
– Is Striptease Movement a popular pastime within the male population?
Evgenia: Even though the overwhelming majority of our participants are women, there are men who get involved as well. We absolutely love the idea of starting up a Striptease Movement class for men only and as soon as there is enough interest, we hope to be able to get it started. We are also really excited about offering a male aspect to our event which will be just as prominent as the female section.
– It sounds very promising! What else will we see at the festival?
Evgenia: This year, we are aiming to have one theatrical performance rather than a few separate shows and so far it looks good. There is the main story line with all of your favourite heroes thrown in to provide entertainment in a wildly erotic and suggestive manner. You shouldn’t miss it!

5 facts about Striptease:
1. There is no mention of such dancing in the Bible, however we know that what Salome did for Herodes was in fact a striptease (New Testament in Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:14-29).
2. The origins of the dance that most closely resembles our own modern-day variant, goes back to the1890s when a  Parisian woman slowly removed all her clothes in a vain search for a flea crawling over her body.
3. First heard of in 1905, a woman calling herself Mata Hari entered the scene as a spy/exotic dancer. When she wasn’t busy with her secretive requirements, Mata Hari had her own show whereby come the end, she was a naked sensation.
4. Between the years 1932 – 1964, British law banned the movement of naked girls in public. However this law was fairly easy to get around especially if mice were involved!
5. 1938 was the first year that the term ‘striptease’ was used.

The Second Ukrainian Strip Dance Festival will take place on 24 April at Bingo Club (112 Pobedy). Admission price varies. For more information call 444-7865 or (050) 310-2650.