The Russian Song Theater hosted a gala concert of the winners of the All-Russian Folklore Competition “Cossack Circle”

The competition “Cossack Circle” this year has acquired particular relevance in connection with the Year of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of Russia declared by the President of the Russian Federation. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the gala concert is included in the program of the thematic year as one of the main events in the field of folk art and traditional Cossack culture.

“Our culture, in my opinion, is very attractive. Our festival-competition goes all over the country throughout the year… I am sure that today you will receive the best teams sincerely, sincerely, joyfully. They deserve it,” said Nadezhda Babkina, People’s Artist of Russia, Artistic Director and Director of the Moscow State Academic Theater “Russian Song” and the Moscow State Ensemble “Russian Song”, opening the gala concert.

Nadezhda Reverend, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, spoke at the opening of the concert. She read out a greeting from Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko.

“Holding the competition also plays a huge role in preserving Cossack traditions, developing and popularizing the original Cossack culture, preserving the continuity of generations and educating young people in the best examples of traditional values ​​carefully preserved by the Russian Cossacks,” the welcoming speech says.

The gala concert was held in a unique format – both amateur groups – winners of regional qualifying stages, and professional national groups, such as the Russian Song Ensemble, the State Dance Theater “Cossacks of Russia”, the State Kuban Cossack Ensemble “Krinitsa” performed on the same stage ”, folk group “Partizan FM”.

There is a full house in the auditorium, which confirms the public’s interest in folk performing arts. The gala concert has become a bright, original celebration of Cossack culture, which presents a palette of genres of folk art, from traditional Cossack song, dance and flanking with a checker to modern Cossack folklore in original arrangements using such instruments as saxophone, tuba, guitar, etc.

“Out of 280 teams, 12 ensembles reached the final – 12 representatives of the Cossack troops. They are now in front of you, on the stage of the Russian Song Theater. And more than 14,000 Cossacks are now on the front lines, taking part in the NWO. So let’s send all our love, joy, strength and courage to support them today, dear viewers,” said Nadezhda Babkina.

The festival is not only a holiday for the audience, but also master classes, exchange of experience of folk groups, which strengthens interregional cooperation. On the eve of the gala concert, a master class was held on the topic “Cossack folklore in everyday life and on stage: the 21st century.”

Russian folk culture is a very broad concept. It unites the peoples of Russia, being the spiritual basis of society. Cossack traditions occupy a worthy place in it, and the Cossack Circle festival has become a highlight for both spectators and artists.

Nina DONSKIKH.

Photo from the archive of the charitable foundation “Folk Singing Culture”