The competition days of the jubilee V regional ethno-cultural student festival “Iҗat asha tynychlyk hәm berdәmlekkә - Creativity of Peace and Harmony” have come to an end. The contest was traditionally held at the Volga Region University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism.
During three days students of Tatarstan universities performed creative numbers inspired by the traditions and culture of the republic's inhabitants. This year the festival is timed to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the year of the Defender of the Fatherland. In their performances the children glorified the courage and steadfastness of the people.
The morning of the first competition day began with the direction “Fashion Theatre”, which was included in the program of the festival for the first time. Creative teams presented bright collections of peoples inspired by traditional costumes. In the form of a theatrical performance they demonstrated the beauty and diversity of ethnic fashion, adding elements of modern art. The participants were evaluated by experts, including Alsu Sungatova, director of Kazan Chamber Theater “Shift”.
There were also shows within the “Artistic Word” direction, where participants performed with poems and prose in their native language, having chosen an image and music to create an atmosphere of immersion in the work. 12 universities of the republic submitted 37 applications for this direction. The jury included Zulfiya Valeeva, People's Artist of Tatarstan, and Bulat Gataullin, nominee of the Russian national theater award “Golden Mask”.
- I participated in an ethno-festival for the first time, I was interested in the fact that one event can unite different peoples. I was advised to participate by my classmate, who also performed in this direction. After going on stage I have trembling memories. I am glad that I was able to be a part of a big festival. I was able to listen to the numbers of other participants, all of them are very talented and perform with soul. I chose a piece in my native language, “Tăvan chӗlkhe”, to remember my history and roots,” said participant Irina Shishkina.
The second competition day was dedicated to the direction “Choreography”, for which 74 applications from 17 higher educational institutions were submitted. Artistic teams presented dance numbers, revealing the culture and traditions of the peoples. Music, costumes and movements transported the jury to villages and hamlets, created the atmosphere of folk festivities. The participants were evaluated by People's Artist of Tatarstan Tagir Latifullin and teachers of the Kazan Exemplary Choreographic Studio Natalia Egorova and Genady Krylov.
- I represent the Artkhiv Creative Workshop of the Kazan State Institute of Culture. At the festival we showed two numbers: “The Road will be made by him who walks” and “The Element of Silence”, which are stylizations of Tatar dances. The first one is dedicated to the difficult path of a man to his innermost dream, and the second one symbolizes a conversation between two people. The dance uses support elements that act as the highest point of communication for both the lyrical characters and the members of the group,” said Stepan Markov.
Many of the participants chose Tatar or Cossack dances, but there were also a few unusual numbers.
- Our number “Inspiration of the East” is a Chinese folk dance. It caught our eye with its unusual style, movements and colorful images, including costumes. We liked the bright atmosphere of the festival and plan to participate next year,” said Azaliya Akhmetova, a representative of the creative team ‘Impulse’ from KSASU.
On the final day there were competitive tests in the direction of “Vocal”. Soloists and ensembles performed songs in their native language in the nominations of stylized and authentic folklore. In this direction the most applications were submitted: the participants were students of 19 Tatarstan universities, as well as representatives of the Irkutsk State Medical University. Elizaveta Martynova, vocal teacher of the Charm Art Center, was among the experts evaluating the participants.
- Our vocal group “VOX” performed the song “The Adventurer”, which is dedicated to the firm Russian spirit and the vast country. We perform multi-genre songs in different languages: Russian, Tatar, English and Kalmyk. This is the third time we have participated in the ethno-festival and have previously become laureates and prize-winners. We are attracted by the event, thanks to which we can popularize the culture of different peoples. I think it is very important not to forget our native language and culture. I believe that there should be such events, - shared Adelina Gilyazova, a student of KSAU.
29 creative performances were awarded by the jury with prizes and ten with special awards. The main event of the festival - gala concert, where the brightest participants from each university will perform, will be held at the Volga Region University on February 26.
