The main prize of the jubilee IFMC-2017 went to the Vitebsk studio of modern choreography by Diana Yurchenko
For 30 years, IFMC has become a cultural calling card not only for Vitebsk but for our entire country. Today, it is widely known outside of Belarus, recognized by the global choreographic community, and sets trends in modern choreography, noted Yuri Bondar. By the way, Yuri Pavlovich is directly involved in the formation of the Belarusian school of modern dance.
As the rector of the State University of Culture and Arts, he repeatedly visited Vitebsk for the festival, and under his leadership, a department of modern choreography was opened at this educational institution, which graduated its first specialists this year.
– The graduates of this department turned out to be in high demand; we could not satisfy all the applications, and there were three applications per person, – emphasized Yuri Bondar.
Competent people in this field, researchers, and practitioners from various European dance schools, who evaluated the national competition held during the jubilee festival year, spoke about the fact that modern Belarusian choreography is making a serious statement.
In particular, ballet historian and head of the Department of Dance Art at the University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz, Poland, Alexander Azarkevich, said that he was impressed by the leap made by Belarusian companies in the 10 years since his last visit to IFMC.
The increased level of choreographers was also noted by the chairman of the jury, Honored Artist of Ukraine, People's Artist of Moldova, artistic director of the "Kyiv Modern-Ballet" theater, Radu Poklitaru.
"If previously we noted performing skill, then today we also note creative skill. Many choreographers have declared themselves as accomplished thinking individuals. Some works captivated us," said Radu Poklitaru.
And his jury colleague, artistic director of the National Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, Yuri Troyan, emphasized that there was something to watch and something to learn from at the competition.
Such praise for modern Belarusian dance is the greatest award for the festival, which, it can be said without exaggeration, has nurtured more than one generation of choreographers and performers, and has cultivated true lovers of this elite art form. It is doubly pleasant when the high skill of Vitebsk collectives is mentioned among the achievements of IFMC.
According to the results of the national competition, the first prize was awarded to the contemporary choreography studio-theater of Diana Yurchenko of the "Vitebsk" Culture Center for the work "Look, or You'll Hear...".
Another Vitebsk project (a joint effort of Diana Yurchenko's studio-theater and Marina Kushnerova's collective "Svoy Pocherk", choreographer Sergey Tolkach) – "Cheloveki" – was awarded the third prize. It shared third place with the Minsk collective "Strukturers" for their production "Catchers.
A futuristic fantasy about time." The second prize was also shared by Minsk residents: the contemporary dance workshop led by Mikhail Kaminsky and Evgeny Nikolaichuk, who created and performed "Ophelia's Dreams."
According to the terms, the Grand Prix is not awarded at the national competition, but it is equated to the special prize named after Evgeny Panfilov. Choreographer Dmitry Zalessky (Theater of Modern Choreography "D.O.Z.SK.I.", Minsk) was awarded it.
It is noteworthy that he is receiving this prestigious award for the second time. As Dmitry said, he prepared the production "Dances with a Friend" for the International Competition of Ballet Dancers and Choreographers, which took place this summer at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
And although he did not become one of the winners, he received a grant for training at the Russian Institute of Contemporary Art and an invitation to stage a production at the Bolshoi. And recognition at IFMC is the highest mark of quality.
All contestants noted that the Vitebsk festival is a platform for exchanging experience, professional training, and an opportunity to see the best works of recognized masters.
The guest program included productions by long-time friends of the festival, favorites of the Vitebsk public, "Ballet Evgeny Panfilov" and "Kyiv Modern Ballet". The Panfilov company brought a premiere – a one-act fantasy ballet "The Impostor", based on Andersen's fairy tale "The Shadow".
And the Kyiv company presented two productions: "The Long Christmas Dinner" to Vivaldi's music and "Carmen. TV" based on Bizet's opera. The latter work by Radu Poklitaru has received many prestigious awards, and now it was applauded by the most demanding and sophisticated Vitebsk audience, according to the author.
It is symbolic that this classic love story, staged as a modern two-part choreographic television film, which can be replayed at the viewer's discretion, concluded IFMC – 2017. Just press the button again, and the performance will begin. However, with a year's break.
