Russian bash for X'mas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 20. A PIECE of the Russian cultural cake is being dished out to the residents of Thiruvananthapuram, this Christmas. The Russian Festival 2000, being organised by the Indo-Russian Friendship and Cultural Society at the Russian Cultural Centre here, in association with the Manaviyam Cultural Mission, is expected to turn a new leaf in Indo-Russian cultural relations.

The two-day festival, to be held on December 27 and 28, is one of the first major events to be hosted by the Centre, subsequent on its re-opening recently. Last time when such a cultural event was held here was in 1987, at which hundreds of Russian artistes participated.

The festival comprises Russian cultural programmes, Russian film and food festivals, painting and photo exhibitions, seminars and the like. Day one has been dedicated to Pushkin and the second day to Dostoevsky, said Dr. Ratheesh Nair, director of the Centre.

One of the main attractions of the festival will be the inaugural function lasting three hours, to be held against the backdrop of a miniature Kremlin being created on the stage. A Russian lady with traditional "bread and butter" will formally receive the Indian guests and those from Russia will be received in the traditional Kerala style. Indian and Russian dances, choral music and `jugal bandhi' will also be performed at the inaugural function, Dr. Ratheesh said.

The Russian cultural contingent will comprise at least 25 leading artistes and six of them are from the renowned Glinka State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Cheliabinsk, who have been performing the world over. Incidentally, Cheliabinsk is synonymous with Russian ballet.

The Ural Dance Company is also presenting a variety of programmes on both the days. They include the traditional Kossacs' dances, the Ural polka, folk dances and folk songs.

Among the ballets to be presented are `Sleeping Beauty', `1001 Nights', `Dying Swan' and `Dance of Perse'. `Don Quixote' is a typical love story, with exotic costumes and scenery, to the accompaniment of Spanish-style music. The ballet `Esmeralda' is from a story adapted from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", by Victor Hugo.

The festival, it is hoped, will provide an impetus to the multi- dimensional relationship India has had with the former USSR, besides creating an awareness on the role of cultural exchange programmes in building up stronger bilateral ties between the two countries.

By J. Ajith Kumar

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Section  : Southern States
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