Squeezing dances: USSR discos, as it really was (28 photos + 1 video)
Discotheques today can't compare to what they were then. Love, jealousy, tears, indecision that ruined the destinies of lovers - these are the real genuine emotions at dances from the times of the USSR!
Dancing is one of the favorite pastimes of Soviet people
The tradition of organizing musical evenings with fiery movements dates back many years. And indeed, at first in the USSR they went “to dances”; the concept of “disco” appeared in the early 80s, and took root in the minds of many. Even today we do not say that we are going “to the dance” when we really are going to dance.
We didn’t go to dances alone
There was always a company, but the girls could afford to walk in twos, but when the guys were supposed to stick together, suddenly a fight would break out! And they happened, and often. This especially happened on the initiative of strong “local” guys, on whose territory the dance evening took place.
By the way, they were held in Palaces of Culture, schools, parks, where it was possible to connect equipment
Most often it was a fenced area and with a paid entrance; the price for a ticket could be 50 kopecks. Those who did not want to pay climbed over the fence if possible. But it wasn't that easy. Firstly, to incriminate the hares, they made various “set-ups”: they smeared the fence with fuel oil; secondly, the police were on duty everywhere.
The fashion then was for flared trousers, long hair for both girls and boys, and the “cool” ones wore jeans.
After all, everyone knows that dancing is a reason to dress up! There were enough fashionistas in the USSR!
Now about the most important thing. First, they turned on music on special players, while one composition was playing, they frantically searched for another. From the first notes ABBA, Boney M., Dschinghis Khan, Eruption were recognized, the crowd was delighted. The disc jockey was watching all this, he stood with headphones on and controlled the order of the tracks. Being friends with him was an important achievement, because he is the one who knows when there will be a slow dance and you can order your favorite composition from him. Happy birthday from a disc jockey was considered the best and honorable gift.
Of course, they also danced to live music, entire ensembles appeared, VIA
Where the accordion appeared, the fun immediately began
Eva Arnold, a legend of British photography, took a number of photographs of life in the USSR in 1966 and filmed cheerful dances
Moscow 1947
This is what abandoned dance floors from the USSR era look like
The dance had its own rules, and everyone adhered to them.
