Žuvėdra

Žuvėdra performers in 2009

Klaipėda University DSC Žuvėdra (literally: tern) was a dancesport formation dance team since 1995 affiliated with Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania. It is a 7-time world champion and 9-time European champion. It was founded in 1965 by ballroom dancers Ona Skaistutė Idzelevičienė. She and her husband Romaldas Idzelevičius (since 1971) were the primary coaches.[1] The formation team operated until 2014,[2] however the danceclub Žuvėdra still exists.[3] and celebrated ints 60th anniversary in 2025.[4]

History

In 1965–71 it belonged to the Klaipėda Palace of Culture, in 1971–94 to the Palace of Culture of the Klaipėda Construction Trust, and since 1995 to Klaipėda University.[2][5]

Since 1989, the team participated in World and European Championships. During 1995–2006, it was in the top 3 in European and World Latin Formation Championships, taking world first places in 2002–05. In 2006–13, the club formed the second team that participated in most important competitions.[1] Besides competitions, the team performed at various events in many European countries. In total, the team performed 14 different compositions[6] (music by composer Audrius Balsys since 1997, costumes by Aina Zinčiukaitė since 1999).[1]

The team did not compete in the 2014 season as, after retirement of a cohort of experienced dancers in 2012–13, there were not enough replacements.[6] In a press interview, the trainers blamed a higher education reform that made it more difficult for potential dancers to get admitted to Klaipėda University.[7] Additionally, the team faced financial difficulties: it could not offer stipends to its dancers, only small discounts on tuition fees. Therefore, dancers had to balance studies, work, and practice.[6]

Championship results

Year World Championship[1] European Championship[1]
LocationPlace[8]LocationPlace[9]
1989Germany7  
1991Germany5  
1992Austria4Germany4
1993Norway4Germany4
1994Germany3Germany5
1995Germany3France2nd place, silver medalist(s)
1996Lithuania2nd place, silver medalist(s)Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s)
1997Germany3Poland2nd place, silver medalist(s)
1998Sweden3Hungary3
1999Lithuania1st place, gold medalist(s)Belarus1st place, gold medalist(s)
2000Austria2nd place, silver medalist(s)Czech2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2001Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s)Hungary1st place, gold medalist(s)
2002Lithuania1st place, gold medalist(s)Holland2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2003Germany1st place, gold medalist(s)Czech1st place, gold medalist(s)
2004Belarus1st place, gold medalist(s)Germany1st place, gold medalist(s)
2005Germany1st place, gold medalist(s)Germany1st place, gold medalist(s)
2006Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s) / 5Lithuania1st place, gold medalist(s) / 4
2007Germany3 / 6Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2008Austria1st place, gold medalist(s) / 6Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s)
2009Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s) / 5Lithuania1st place, gold medalist(s)
2010Russia2nd place, silver medalist(s) / 5Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s) / 5
2011Lithuania1st place, gold medalist(s) / 5Russia2nd place, silver medalist(s) / 6
2012Germany2nd place, silver medalist(s) / 6Austria1st place, gold medalist(s) / 7
2013Germany4Lithuania1st place, gold medalist(s) / 7
Note: from 2006, Žuvėdra had a second team competing. Its results are shown after the "/" symbol.

Notable persons

  • Ona Skaistutė Idzelevičienė and Romaldas Idzelevičius, leaders
  • Aina Zinčiukaitė, dancer and coach; clothing designer for Žuvėdra (1998–2006)
  • Jūra Laivytė-Kvasienė, dancer and coach
  • Kestutis Bernatavičius, Lithuanian politician, Žuvėdra dancer (1992–1995)[10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Liatukas, Renata; Idzelevičius, Romaldas (2013). ""Žuvėdra"". In Karoblis, Povilas; et al. (eds.). Lietuvos sporto enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Vol. II. Lietuvos sporto informacijos centras. pp. 1050–1051. ISBN 978-609-413-003-8.
  2. 1 2 „Žuvėdra“, Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia,
  3. ↑ Žuvėdra, Klaipėdos m. Sportinių Šokių Klubas
  4. ↑ Auksinės „Žuvėdros“ skrydžiui - 60 metų!
  5. ↑ Romaldas Idzelevičius
  6. 1 2 3 Augustis, Mindaugas (2014-03-14). "Pasaulyje lygių neturėjusi "Žuvėdra" – ties išnykimo riba" (in Lithuanian). Delfi.lt. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  7. ↑ LRT radijo laida „60 minučių“ (2014-11-14). "Pagrindinė "Žuvėdros" ansamblio subyrėjimo priežastis – ne pinigai" (in Lithuanian). Delfi.lt. Retrieved 2015-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ Spaeker, Heinz. "Results of IDSF Competitions". DanceSport Services.
  9. ↑ "Žuvėdros skrydžiai" (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian Dancesport Federation. Retrieved 2015-02-14.
  10. ↑ Kęstutis BERNATAVIČIUS
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