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 . She and her husband (since 1971) were the primary coaches. The formation team operated until 2014,„Žuvėdra“, Universal Lithuanian Encyclopedia, however the danceclub Žuvėdra still exists.Žuvėdra, Klaipėdos m. Sportinių Šokių Klubas and celebrated ints 60th anniversary in 2025.Auksinės „Žuvėdros“ skrydžiui - 60 metų!
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.Romaldas Idzelevičius
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. Besides competitions, the team performed at various events in many European countries. In total, the team performed 14 different compositions (music by composer Audrius Balsys since 1997, costumes by Aina Zinčiukaitė since 1999).
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. 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. 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.
Championship results Year World Championship European Championship Location Place Location Place 1989 Germany 7 1991 Germany 5 1992 Austria 4 Germany 4 1993 Norway 4 Germany 4 1994 Germany 3 Germany 5 1995 Germany 3 France 1996 Lithuania Germany 1997 Germany 3 Poland 1998 Sweden 3 Hungary 3 1999 Lithuania Belarus 2000 Austria Czech 2001 Germany Hungary 2002 Lithuania Holland 2003 Germany Czech 2004 Belarus Germany 2005 Germany Germany 2006 Germany / 5 Lithuania / 4 2007 Germany 3 / 6 Germany 2008 Austria / 6 Germany 2009 Germany / 5 Lithuania 2010 Russia / 5 Germany / 5 2011 Lithuania / 5 Russia / 6 2012 Germany / 6 Austria / 7 2013 Germany 4 Lithuania / 7 Note: from 2006, Žuvėdra had a second team competing. Its results are shown after the "/" symbol. Notable persons and , leaders , dancer and coach; clothing designer for Žuvėdra (1998–2006) , dancer and coach , Lithuanian politician, Žuvėdra dancer (1992–1995)Kęstutis BERNATAVIČIUS
See also International DanceSport Federation
References
External links About Žuvėdra About Zuvedra