Thousands set dance class record in Moscow

The record for the biggest dance class ever has been set in Moscow. Almost 2,000 people took part in the event at the open-air dance festival in the Russian capital. The aim was to raise money for the disabled.

A non-stop dancing marathon for thousands of young and old at Luzhniki sports arena in Moscow lasted during the whole seven hours. People could learn all possible styles, including the most exotic ones. Jackson has brought the zouk dance to Russia and says his audience is expanding.
 
“The main idea of such fests is to educate people, make them learn new styles. Even though my style – zouk – is something new for Russia, people here seem to like it,” says dancing teacher Jackson Peter.

The purpose of Sunday’s dancing class fest in Moscow was to unite different styles and to develop schools in Russia. And organisers say this is just the beginning.

“We intend to open more dance schools and we’ll probably be taking more students. In fact, people just need to make the first step to understand that dancing is not so difficult,” believes Olga Panchenko, one of event organisers.

Part of the money raised will go to a school for disabled dancers. For them the possibility to learn dancing and take part in such events has a very special meaning.

A decade ago Svetlana Parshina lost the ability to walk. Ever since, dancing has become something to live for.
 
“I forget about my disability when I dance. I give my all to the rhythm and descend into the flow of the music. It’s like a new life for me,” says Svetlana excitedly.

The festival has indeed become a historic one. A new world record has been set, with 1,830 people engaged in a dance class all at the same time. The organisers say it is only a matter of days, when this figure will be registered at the Guinness World Book of Records headquarters in London. Meanwhile, they promise to bring even more amateur dancers to the streets of Moscow next summer.