Ways of Formation, Development and Decline of Skomorokhs Dance Arte in Ukraine

The aim of the research is to analyze and systematize information related to the phenomenon of the formation, development and decline of the dance art of skomorokhs in Ukraine. Research methods. Taking into account the historical and cultural nature of the research, the main methods used were historical, theoretical, systemic, analytical and generalization, which provided a theoretical analysis of the source base, the systematization of the received information and the synthesis and summing up of the origins, development, decay and subsequent transformation of the skomorokhs dance art. The scientific novelty of the presented article is to systematize and analyze the key stages of the formation, development, decline and transformation of skomorokhs dance art in Ukraine, and to draw parallels with the development of similar artistic phenomena on the territory of other states. Conclusions. After analyzing the materials, we can state that the phenomenon of skomorokh dance art still needs to be studied in detail. At present, one can state that the most active development of the skomorokhs art was in the pagan times. That’s when the given class was equated with divine beings and their art to service the deity. In the times of paganism, the skomorokhs were syncretic semi-professionals who created a variety of theatrical performances. With the advent of Christianity, the attitude towards skomorokhs gradually changes. It is the art of skomorokhs which also undergoes transformation - different genres are singled out. Skomorokhs art split into settled and traveling one. Along with that, the adoption of Christianity causes the beginning of the stage of the skomorokhs decline. Although in the national circle and in the princely and boyar palaces the skomorokhs performances continue to take place, the church reform prohibits walrus, songs, dances and fun in all manifestations. The destructive policy, in addition, does not solve the entire task – the skomorokhs dance art transforming into other forms, for example, “Vertepna drama”. This allows us to speak about the deep roots and strong ethno-cultural traditions of this phenomenon, which paved the difficult path of development for centuries