The programme of the XXXI International Festival of Modern Choreography (IFMC) in Vitebsk is distinguished by the scale of its productions and promises many must-see events.
The programme of the XXXI International Festival of Modern Choreography (IFMC) in Vitebsk is distinguished by the scale of its productions and promises many must-see events. Marina Romanovskaya, Deputy General Director of the "Vitebsk" Cultural Centre for Special Projects, and Eduard Chernivchan, Head of the Special Projects Department of the "Vitebsk" Cultural Centre, spoke about the main events of the upcoming forum at a press conference, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Many of the performances that audiences will see are costly projects involving a large number of artists and elaborate sets. The festival will open on November 20 in Minsk at the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus with the performance "Overtures by Rossini," presented by Spellbound Contemporary Ballet (Italy). On November 22, audiences in Gomel will have the chance to see it, and the production will be shown on the Vitebsk stage on November 25, serving as the festival's closing performance. "This is a very expensive project, prepared by the Italian company for the 150th anniversary of Gioachino Rossini and has been showcased by the company as part of a world tour from 2016 to 2019. It's what the whole world is watching right now," emphasised Eduard Chernivchan, noting that seeing such productions is a great rarity.
A current trend among provincial theatres is the staging of wordless performances. The IFMC will feature such a work on November 21: the festival version of the play "Caligula," presented by the Moscow Provincial Theatre under the direction of Sergey Bezrukov. On the same day, in the loge A of the "Vitebsk" Concert Hall, the Swiss project Joshua Monten Company will present the dance performance "Little Joy." "While dramatic theatres are currently exploring plastic expression, the younger generation of choreographers and directors are attempting to move away from conventional stage forms, relocating their works into everyday environments – the metro, train stations, the street," noted Marina Romanovskaya. This project offers IFMC audiences the opportunity to get closer to the artists and feel a sense of involvement in the presented action.
Another performance that caught the attention of the forum organizers is "The Sleeping Beauty" by the "Kyiv Modern-Ballet" Theatre (Ukraine). "Radu Poklitaru masterfully encased the well-known story in modern choreography. It is impossible to tear yourself away from watching this performance," shared Marina Romanovskaya.
The forum organizers separately noted the productions that the Perm Theatre "Ballet of Evgeny Panfilov" will bring to the forum. Among them is the tribute performance "Star 62090" set to the music of Viktor Tsoi. This production is dedicated to the new creative generation, all young people. The audience, connoisseurs of the rock musician's work, have already responded, as evidenced by ticket sales.
"Overall, the program of this year's festival has turned out to be very rich and large-scale. You have to watch everything," concluded Eduard Chernivchan.