The Armenians of the Russian city of Krasnodar have opened a national dance school to help the local Armenians preserve their national customs and traditions, reported armeniasputnik.am, citing kubantv.ru.

“An ancient nation has its traditional dances. Every dance has a story to tell. Currently, the members are only Armenian, but the school’s doors are open to people of different nationalities as well,” writes the website.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, the 20 boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 24 perform national dances to the sounds of the Armenian dhol and zurna and learn military dances. “Throughout our history, we have almost always been at war. Our sisters, mothers and daughters have also been with us. That is why not only boys, but also girls perform the military dances,” dance instructor Harutyun Margaryan said. Currently, the school has two dance instructors, but is planning on inviting a dance instructor from Armenia as well.