The History of Orlyk
1949 saw Petro Dnistrowyk establish a school of Ukrainian Folk Dance. What brought this about? - Homesickness for the land of his birth, the gentle beauty of its landscape, the enchantment of its poetry and art of its people. In a foreign land, amongst strange sights and customs, he wanted to start something for his people that would give them a breath of their native air, to feel their souls back in Ukraine. For the youth who had been torn from their motherland, a new generation of whom had been born beyond its frontiers in a strange new land - to show them that their nation was capable of rebirth, to show them their roots, and to show them the wealth of their traditions, unique in the whole world.

On the 16th January 1949 the first meeting was held for those wishing to learn Ukrainian Folk Dance. From that day work began and so the school of dance started. The first rehearsals welcomed many men, women and children. These were unforgettable times, these first students of dance, children of Ukraine, showed a burning desire and devotion for this work. The school held rehearsals at 188 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, in buildings established as a club by the first Ukrainian settlers. These same buildings also served as a base for the local branch of the Association Of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB). Without worrying about fatigue from their daily work, they attended four or five rehearsals a week and gave all their free time to this cause. They all wanted to learn as quickly as possible at least two or three dances. At first there was no music, but the school soon acquired three musicians. In February of the same year costumes began to be designed and made.

Founded in 1949 – Celebrates 60 years in 2009