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Summer on Ithaca - Festivals - Dances - Concerts - Performances |
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The Cossacks of Russia 30th July 2004 Performed by the Russian State Dance Company |
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Photograph reproduced from Cossack Dance Company Program |
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The Russian Cossack State Dance Company from Lipetsk, is a troupe of 50 experienced dancers and musicians, led by Leonid Milonanov, the Companys' founder and Artistic Director since 1991. The Company safeguards and collects the traditions of the Don Cossacks of both the local folklore and those customs retained by the Nekrosov Cossacks who left the Don settlements after the riot of the Don Ataman K. Bulevin, and held sacred their culture, customs and the way of life in Turkey. The Don Cossacks, are Russias oldest Military Force. _____________________________________ |
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Some members of the Company |
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Eleni introduced the Cossacks |
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Alexandros Taflambas, Fimios Organizer, and Makis Iakovos, stage sound Engineer. |
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Pre-performance and during Interval, some of the troupe manned the Market Stall set up to sell gifts and icons of the Don regions. |
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Once the Cossack Dance Company began its' show, the audience couldn't help but get caught up in its' colorful energy. |
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Ithaki was taken through the history of the Cossacks through 21 pieces of dance and song |
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Piece 1- Initial Dance The Dance introduces the ensemble in a marching parade |
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Piece 2 - The Khoper Cossacks. It dates back to the 14th Century Piece 3 - Oh Russia This dance expresses the Cossacks love for their motherland and freedom. Piece 4 - Yoke the Horse Dad! Dance of the Ukranian Cossacks symbolizing the courtship of a young Cossack man. Piece 5 - Black Browed Black Eyed Dance of the Volga Cossacks displaying feelings of respect for a woman. |
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Piece 6 - Cossack Party Dance presenting Cossacks from various regions meeting for an evening party. |
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Piece 7 - Pair After Pair An evening dance of the Kuban Cossacks Performed in a quadrille. |
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Piece 9 - Orchestral Music |
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Piece 8 - Dancing Rivalry A dance representing the spirit of completion |
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Piece 10 - Kalinka This dance epitomizes Russian pride, dignity and honor |
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Piece 12 - Not Evening Yet A military song from around the mid 17th Century |
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Piece 13 - Where Have You Been? A humorous Ukranian Folk Song |
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Piece 15 - A Present Dance demonstrating the Russian proverb "Not the gift, but the attention is dear" 'Valenki' Russian peasant shoes are the gift |
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Piece 16 - An Old Photograph Dance based on old family photos of the Cossacks |
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Piece 18- Cossack Leader--Ataman Military song from the Terek area |
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Piece 17 - Peter the Greats' Gunmen Dance demonstrating military preparations |
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Piece 19 - Pot Pourri Vocal section featuring popular Cossack folk songs Piece 20 - Cossack Dance Dance symbolizing returning home from war and reuniting with family Piece 21 - Katyusha Popular Russian song from WWII period about a young woman waiting for her groom to return from the Front |
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Leonid Milonanov |
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The Russian Cossack State Dance Company thrilled the Ithaki audience with powerful imagery of Cossack traditions, customs and history through dance and song. Excellent musicianship and physical performance showcased the Companys' talents which were beautifully and colorfully directed by Leonid Milonanov. Not only did Ithaca experience the power of the Cossacks, but for one night, the Garden Theatre was also transformed into a Russian Bazaar, eagerly supported by the locals and tourists who came for this unique Performance. Brought to Ithaca from Russian with Love by Fimios. __________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Piece 11 - Step after Step Dance that shows the traditions of the Don Cossacks that were led by Ignaty Nekrasov |
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Piece 14 - Tsiganochka (Gypsy Girl) Dance of the Nekrosov Cossacks |
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Russian Cossack State Dance Company comes to the Greek island of Ithaca |
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Colorful costumes |
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Energetic Dance pieces |
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The band gave the performance an occasional contemporary feel |
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The audience responded with exuberant cheer |
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A whirl of colour |
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...and athleticism |
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The audience cheered and danced along with the Cossacks |
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A cultural exchange |
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