In the whirlwind of «Vitebsk Snowdrop» | Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee

The Epiphany frosts were not a deterrent for the passionate Vitebsk ballroom dance fans: on January 18-19, the stage of the "Vitebsk" Concert Hall hosted a fierce competition among participants of the XXVIII International Tournament of Sports Ballroom Dances "Vitebsk Snowflake – 2014".

The Epiphany frosts were not a deterrent for the passionate Vitebsk ballroom dance fans: on January 18-19, the stage of the concert hall "Vitebsk" hosted a fierce competition among participants of the XXVIII International Tournament of Sports Ballroom Dances "Vitebsk Snowflake – 2014".

Slow waltz, tango, cha-cha-cha, quickstep, pasodoble… The dance floor of the tournament

"Vitebsk Snowflake – 2014" was lit up by the best couples from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Finland, Switzerland, Estonia, and Azerbaijan. 672 couples from eight age categories competed for the highest qualification in the performance of standard European and Latin American programs. Among them were children aged five and up, juniors, and youth – both novice athletes and experienced masters of international level. The highlight of the tournament was the performance of the Seniors category – athletes aged 35 and above (competitions in this category have been held here for the third consecutive year). Within the framework of the tournament, open WDSF competitions were held for adults and youth in both Latin American and European programs. This indicates the high rating of the tournament.

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Vitebsk Snowflake is the result of our team's work, – said the tournament organizer, head of the dance and sports club "Fest" Natalia Tovstashova. – We have never stopped at what we have achieved, we invited very high-level couples to the tournament so that our students understand that what they have achieved is not the limit, and there is always something to strive for. As our students grew, we raised the bar. That is probably why we have reached today's level, when the tournament's bar has become quite high: the WDSF International Open tournament, which we hold, is one of the highest-rated competitions in the world. Couples from our club dance in both European and Latin American programs in different age categories.

The Belarusian ballroom dancing school has shown itself at a high level. Among the winners in each category were representatives of clubs from Vitebsk and Minsk. However, prize-winning places in the main categories of the competition were taken by couples from Russia.

Year after year, athletes from different countries come to Vitebsk not just for diplomas, cups, and medals – they are attracted by the opportunity to showcase themselves in front of top-category international judges with the right to judge world-class tournaments (this year judges from 17 countries were invited), as well as to watch their colleagues, gain experience, and new impressions. Next year, the oldest tournament in Belarus

"Vitebsk Snowflake" will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary.

We remind you that the International Ballroom Dancing Tournament

"Vitebsk Snowflake – 2014" was held with the support of the World Dance Sport Federation, the Belarusian Dance Sport Federation, the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, the organizers were the Culture Center "Vitebsk" and the dance-sport club "Fest".

Tatyana Solovyova. Photo by the author