A majorette ensemble has appeared in Dokshytsy – parade participants

Dokshytsy is a small town with a population of only about 7,000 people. It is even more surprising that a majorette ensemble recently appeared here.

Future drummers were sought among the students of the local art school. Mandatory conditions included a charming smile, a sense of rhythm, musical ear, and a height of over 170 cm. 16 girls aged 14 to 16 successfully passed the competitive selection. Now their natural talents are being "polished" by music school teachers three times a week for an hour and a half each day.

Ensemble members have a mandatory uniform: short skirts, jackets with braid, and boots. On their heads, they wear hussar shakos with ostrich feathers, and in their hands, they hold drums.

The cost of one such costume in a store is about 12 million rubles. Therefore, to save money, they decided to sew them themselves.

- We spent more than a month developing the uniform design: we found some ideas on the internet, and came up with others, - said the school principal Olga Sushko. - It was difficult to find accessories for decoration: we even had to travel to the capital.

But the long and costly preparations were worth it. The Dokshytsy ensemble made a successful debut at the Independence Day celebration, where they received a storm of applause.

Even when the majorettes are simply rehearsing on the town square, crowds of passers-by always gather, many take pictures with the charming drummers, notes ensemble member Maria Pavelok.

Now, by the way, the girls are preparing for a new major event - the City Day celebration will soon take place in Dokshytsy.

From the history of the issue

The first majorettes appeared in France over 80 years ago. The name comes from the word "tambourmajor" - that's what the leaders of military bands were called. "Tambour" in French means drum, "major" means senior. So, majorettes are tambourmajor's assistants, girls in military or similar uniforms, participants in parades.

The first Belarusian majorette ensemble "Holiday" appeared in Baranovichi in 2003. Five years later, it became the bronze medalist at the European Majorette Championship. In 2011, the group was awarded the title of "People's Ensemble".

Similar ensembles also exist in other cities - for example, in Vitebsk, Glubokoye, Postavy.

Inna Gorbatenko, "Respublika"