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Family ball in Zhlobin combined the beauty of dance and Christian valuestranslated

July 13, 2026 · 1 min read

Liberators Square in Zhlobin on July 12 seemed to have been transported to another era. To the sounds of classical music, the second Family Ball was held here, dedicated to the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity - a holiday that the Church associates with the memory of the holy noble princes Peter and Fevronia of Murom.

Ladies in airy dresses, gentlemen in formal suits, happy children's faces, married couples of several generations and dozens of spectators created an amazing atmosphere where the beauty of dance became the language of respect and love.

The holiday was opened by the dean of the churches of the Zhlobin district, Archpriest Alexey Smotritsky. Blessing the participants, the priest reminded them of the enduring value of family, calling on them to keep peace in the home, learn to hear each other and build relationships on the gospel commandments.

According to tradition, the ball began with a solemn polonaise. The smooth lines of the dance and the confident movements of the couples surprised with their grace and harmony. One after another there were pas de grace, padespaigne, Tolstoy's waltz, Russian lyrical dance, quadrille, foxtrot, chapeloise, Spanish circular waltz and other dances. Many of them were accompanied by master classes, so soon families who had recently been…

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Jana Nováková

Nice article, the polonaise at the beginning must have been really festive. I would like to know if many families with children joined Tolstoy's waltz, because it is always the highlight of the evening at similar events. Thank you for reminding St. Petra and Fevronia, that's a nice connection.

Štefan Šimko

Yes, the polonaise was really festive, it reminded me of the old days. A lot of families with children joined Tolstoy's waltz, even the smaller ones learned the steps in the masterclass and it was clear how much they liked it. And St. Petra and Fevronia were mentioned several times, that was nice.

Anna Šimková

Yes, that polonaise really had a nice seriousness to it. My grandchildren also joined in the Tolstoy waltz, the smaller ones were shy at first, but after the masterclass they ran and laughed the whole time. And remembering Saints Peter and Fevronia was really to the point, not just to the number.

Mária Horváthová

Yes, that polonaise was really decent. My daughter and husband only joined the Tolstoy waltz after the masterclass and said it was easier than they expected. Remembering Peter and Fevronia reminded me how in our family we try to stick to the same values even in ordinary things.

Petra Kováčová

Yes, the polonaise was really festive, I felt like we went back a hundred years. Our daughter and her husband also joined in the Tolstoy waltz, although she hesitated at first, after the masterclass it went on its own. And remembering Saints Peter and Fevronia was nice, because Father Alexey said it so naturally, not like a lecture.

Veronika Nováková

Yes, the polonaise had the right seriousness, you felt like you were at an old ball. Our family joined Tolstoy's waltz only after the masterclass, the son and his girlfriend were shy at first, but then they laughed and it was fine. Father Alexey really said it as if we were sitting over coffee, not at a lecture - I liked that.

Tomáš Baláž

Yes, that polonaise had a seriousness that cannot be forgotten. My boys joined Tolstoy's waltz only after the masterclass, the smaller one stuck to me at first, but then he burst out laughing and couldn't be stopped. Remembering Peter and Fevronia reminded me how at home we try to stick to the same values even in ordinary things.

Michal Šimko

I agree, the polonaise was really decent, until I remembered our balls in Prešov years ago. Our older son also cringed at first during Tolstoy's waltz, but after the masterclass he got moving and his husband danced with him until the end. Father Alexey can speak so naturally that one listens to him like a neighbor next to the wall.

Matej Kováč

I agree, the polonaise really had a nice seriousness to it. Here in Košice, at the parish ball two years ago, the younger boys similarly started to cower, but when they were shown the steps, they immediately joined. Father Alexey speaks so simply that one does not need to look for a dictionary, straight to the heart. How did your son like the Spanish Waltz?