On 26 August, the international dance festival “Dance Without Borders” opens as part of the Meghri – Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth programme.
Belarus will be represented at the festival by the renowned ensemble “Lyavonikha”. Kazakhstan will send the State Dance Ensemble “Saltanat”. Kyrgyzstan has dispatched to Meghri the exemplary folk dance ensemble “Jash Kyal”. Russian dance traditions will be showcased by the vocal and choreographic ensemble “Rusy”. Dancers from “Savatchi kizlar” will introduce residents and guests of the capital to Uzbekistan’s folklore. The festival hosts will also present their art.
The celebration will open with a grand Gala Concert at the House of Culture. Performances by all ensembles are strictly regulated and meticulously planned. They include a ceremonial procession of artists to national music with the country's flag, and three dance numbers, all performed in national costumes.
The festivities will then move to the old town quarters, where the main festival venue will be set up. Folk craftsmen will demonstrate their skills to guests in the “City of Masters”, while artists will hold masterclasses in traditional dances of the CIS peoples for all comers.
The festival is organised by the Armenian National Centre for Folk Music and Dance, on the initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia, with the support of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS Member States. The organisers hope that the “Dance Without Borders” festival will become a new platform for cross-cultural cooperation, help establish direct contacts between creative groups from different countries, and, most importantly, become a major celebration of music for the residents of Meghri.