On January 6, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The Honoured Amateur Ensemble of Belarus, the choreography ensemble "Zorka" of the "Vitebsk" Centre of Culture, plans to participate in children's festivals in Spain and Ukraine in 2012, reported to BELTA correspondent Natalia Chernyuk, the permanent head of the ensemble since 1981.
For significant contribution to the aesthetic education of children and adolescents, active participation in the cultural life of Belarus and international creative projects, the ensemble was awarded a special prize of the President of Belarus for cultural and art figures of 2011. "For us, this award is a kind of summary of all our work, the highest assessment of achievements that can be obtained," noted Natalia Chernyuk, emphasizing that the award obliges a lot for the future. For now, the pupils of "Zorka" are actively preparing for a performance on the stage of the Palace of the Republic. "This is a great honour for us," added the head of the ensemble.
This year, the "Zorka" ensemble will continue to actively participate in cultural events in Belarus. The ensemble's plans also include trips to children's festivals in Spain and Ukraine. "Thanks to the financial component of the prize, the plans will be realised," is confident Natalia Chernyuk. Along with this, she noted the enormous support for children's art groups provided by the state. "Even in such a difficult time, our country has the opportunity to purchase stage costumes, props, and to travel. The 'Our Children' campaign, which has covered all categories of children in need of help and support, is striking in its scale," she stated.
The Honoured Amateur Ensemble of Belarus, the choreography ensemble "Zorka", was founded in 1962. During this time, it has become the undisputed favourite of the republic's concert venues, one of the most sought-after ensembles representing Belarusian dance culture abroad. Over its many years of service to beauty, the ensemble has nurtured several generations of artists with a level of training that has allowed many graduates to become professional dancers and choreographers.
Currently, the ensemble comprises approximately 250 individuals aged from 3 to 18 years, with 140 of them being part of the main concert group. The diverse repertoire of "Zorka" includes a vast array of folk dances from around the world, choreographic miniatures, and contemporary dance numbers. However, the ensemble's priority focus remains on national Belarusian dance. In total, the ensemble's repertoire features 54 independent choreographic productions and compositions, as well as 5 concert programs with children's themes, varied in genres and national flavour.
The high professional level of "Zorka" is evidenced by the awards and diplomas received at international and national festivals and competitions. For instance, in 2007, the ensemble was recognized as the best creative group of the Vitebsk Culture Centre. In September 2010, it won two Grand Prix awards at the III International Children's Festival "Orpheus in Italy," held in the city of Lido di Jesolo.-0-
BELTA