The XXX International Festival of Modern Choreography IFMC-2017 opened in Vitebsk
The ballet adagio and its conceptual interpretation were masterfully combined at the XXX International Festival of Modern Choreography, which brought together performers and art lovers in Vitebsk.
This mix of classical and modern dance, presented at the first concert of the юбилейный IFMC, once again emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the festival. Over 30 years, the forum has come a long way, introducing Vitebsk audiences to various choreographic trends, and nurturing more than one generation of thoughtful directors and technically skilled dancers.
This was highlighted at the opening ceremony by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Vladimir Terentyev, who expressed special gratitude to the creators and inspirers of this project, prestigious not only for Vitebsk region and Belarus but also for many European countries – Marina Romanovskaya and Eduard Chernivchan. Vladimir Vladimirovich also read out a greeting from the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev.
The history of IFMC is dedicated to the exhibition-installation "Museum-Archive," where one can see old posters, photos, and publications. In the lobby of the "Vitebsk" Concert Hall, where the festival is traditionally held, there are expositions by photographer Anna Moiseuk and artist Alexander Salivonchik, whose canvases, striking with their expression, set an emotional yet thoughtful perception of art, be it painting or dance.
A special gift for the jubilee was the screening of the film "After You," where Sergey Bezrukov played the main role of the dancer Alexey Temnikov. The actor arrived in Vitebsk with his wife, Anna Matison, the scriptwriter and director of the film. Radu Poklitaru, choreographer and artistic director of the "Kyiv Modern Ballet" theater, who also participated in the filming, attended the meeting with the audience after the screening.
"When they told me that Sergey would have a big solo, I was cautious about it. It was assumed that the principal dancer of the Mariinsky Theatre, Denis Matvienko, would dance for him, and only close-ups would be filmed with Bezrukov. Nevertheless, I suggested he learn the entire routine so he would understand what followed what. But when I saw Sergey at rehearsal, I realized that he could perform the composition almost entirely himself, and only for two dangerous stunts was he replaced by a professional dancer," shared Radu Poklitaru.
And although this film, as its creators have repeatedly emphasized, is not about ballet, but about a person experiencing a personal drama and overcoming forced creative seclusion, Sergey Bezrukov admitted that it was important for him how professionals would evaluate his cinematic role. And when people from the ballet world said that everything happening in the film was very similar to their own experiences, he was very pleased.
Thus, the People's Artist of Russia took the IFMC stage as one initiated into the diaspora of dancers and fulfilled an honorable mission – he presented an award established specifically for the anniversary festival for significant contribution to the development of modern choreography and dedication to creative work. Its recipient was Diana Yurchenko, the head of the folk theater-studio of the Vitebsk Culture Center.
The creative gift of the dance forum was the performances of renowned guests. The leading soloists of the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus were the first to take the stage, and as promised, they performed a pas de deux from Minkus' ballet "Don Quixote" and gifted the audience 30 plus two fouettés.
The dance performance "Songs of the Last Grass" was presented by Sergey Smirnov's "Excentrique Ballet" from Yekaterinburg. This troupe appeared in Vitebsk 14 years ago as a participant in the competition program, and today it is a four-time laureate of Russia's main theater award "Golden Mask" and various international festivals.
– For us, the Vitebsk stage is a hallowed place, IFMC is a kind of dance matrix for the entire post-Soviet space, – noted the titled choreographer.
"Ballet Moscow" presented unforgettable encounters with high art, performing "The Seasons".
This year, a national competition is being held, with 20 ensembles participating, three of which represent Vitebsk. The jury, headed by Honored Artist of Ukraine, People's Artist of Moldova Radu Poklitaru, includes renowned choreographers from Belarus, Austria, Romania, and Poland.
They will deliver their verdict on Saturday evening after viewing the performances that have reached the finals. The names of the winners will be announced at the closing ceremony of the XXX International Festival of Modern Choreography. We will report on this in the next issue.
