The problems of national identity in the process of standardization of the English style of ballroom dance

Abstract

The purpose of the article. Consider the process of standardization of the English style ofball dance as the embodiment of the ideas of national identity. Methodology. Setting a researchobjective actualizes the use of general scientific methods and principles for analyzing the specificsof the standardization process of the English style of ballroom dance: source study (for studyingmaterials from British specialized periodicals of the 1920s and 1930s); analytical (for processinghistorical, cultural, and art history scientific literature); historical (to study the historicalbackground of the formation of the English style of ballroom dance); terminological (to clarify thecontent and establish the relationship of the concepts of «anglization», «ballroom dance»,«national dance culture», «national identity»). Scientific novelty. An art study of the trends in thedevelopment of popular dance culture in the UK in the 1920s and 1930s was carried out thetwentieth century and the process of standardization of the English style of ball dance as part of atransnational system of cultural circulation, influenced by the countries of continental Europe, theBritish colonies, Latin America and the United States of America; It is revealed that the process ofstandardization of the English style of ball dance took place in the context of cultural policies andpractices aimed at combating the growing influence on the population of the British Isles ofAmerican culture and provided a space for the expression and embodiment of the ideas of nationalidentity. Conclusions. The standardization of the English style is a more complicated process thanthe establishment of a certain form of steps and dance figures. Consistently claiming that dance isan expression of national character, professional dancers and dance teachers sought to create aBritish dance form that is different from foreign forms. It is precisely the process of anglisation offoreign ballroom dancing, in our opinion, is one of the most important elements in the process of creating the national dance culture of Great Britain of the 1920–1930s, which helped to create aspace for the expression of ideas of national identity.Key words: English style, ballroom dancing, standardization, national identity, culturalpolicy