Vitebsk welcomed the International Festival of Contemporary Choreography with a sell‑out, which for 36 years has been gathering modern dance enthusiasts in the city on the Dvina.
As noted at the opening of the forum by the chairman of the regional executive committee Alexander Subbotin, the IFMC has become an integral part of our cultural heritage. The festival offers a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the latest trends in the world of choreography, exchange creative experiences, and establish professional contacts. It serves as a powerful stimulus for the development of cultural dialogue between countries and peoples, proving that the art of dance knows no borders and is capable of speaking a universal language of feelings and emotions.
– A particular pride is the establishment of a strong national choreography school. Our dancers and choreographers today win prestigious international competitions, and their productions successfully take place on the best stages of Belarus, Russia, and many countries around the world. This is a vivid result of targeted work on training creative personnel and developing the cultural potential of our country, – said the head of the region.
The IFMC has earned recognition as a significant event in international cultural life, demonstrating current trends and innovative searches in the field of contemporary choreography. The festival's focus on the future – on supporting young talents, on experimental forms and bold creative solutions – adds special value, emphasized in his greeting the Minister of Culture of Belarus Ruslan Chernetsky.
On the first festival evening, there was an introduction to the main characters of the dance forum – participants of the national competition, which will take place for the last time. From now on, it will only be held in an international format. For the IFMC awards, 20 collectives from different corners of Belarus will compete, with Vitebsk presenting the project of Anna Konstantinova, the Honored Amateur Collective of the Republic of Belarus, the People's Theater-Studio of Contemporary Choreography, and the Studio of Contemporary Dance "TEG" of the Vitebsk State College of Culture and Arts.
In the second part, the audience saw the divertissement program "Bolero+" from the troupe "Ballet Moscow" of the "New Opera" theater.
Three dance miniatures staged by three choreographers: "Tango, Song and Dance", "Undine" and Presto con moto. At the finale of the performance, a choreographic interpretation of the famous work of Maurice Ravel "Bolero" was shown.