600 performers, a production on a grand scale and the soul of people: the premiere run of "Khorovod. The Energy of Unity" concludes at the National Centre RUSSIA
A large-scale production, more than 600 performers and over
10 ensembles and solo artists, and a remarkable blend of folklore, contemporary
choreography and original pieces. The music and dance parable "Khorovod.
The Energy of Unity" concluded its premiere run on 12 November at the
National Centre RUSSIA and became one of the major cultural events of 2026. Over three days, more than 1,800
people saw the production that marked the culmination of the series. They
included participants in the III International Symposium "Inventing the
Future". The Symposium, which has brought together more than 8,000
participants from 109 countries and all regions of the Russian Federation, is
being held on 12–13 November with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the
Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
"This production marks the Year of Unity of the Peoples
of Russia, which our President, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, declared here at
the National Centre RUSSIA. Watching these dances, seeing the extraordinary
costumes and watching the movements come together in a single khorovod, you
realise just how unique our country is. We have managed to preserve the culture
and distinct identity of all our peoples, and we are proud of that. What
matters is that our production goes beyond classic folk dances. We have been
able to present traditional art in a contemporary way. The khorovod brings
people together, and virtually every people in the world has a dance like it. In Russia, where so many peoples
live together, the dance is especially symbolic. No one comes first or last. It
is this energy of unity that allows us to build on what we have today and, of
course, look ahead to the future," emphasised Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy
Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.
The music
and dance parable "Khorovod. The Energy of Unity" brought together
performers and ensembles from across the country on one stage — from the Donetsk
People's Republic, the Republic of Karelia, the Kostroma and Irkutsk Regions,
the Khabarovsk Territory, Moscow, the Republic of Crimea, the Republic of Sakha
(Yakutia) and the regions of the North Caucasus. A distinctive part of the
programme was the original pieces created by the National Centre RUSSIA
specifically for the culminating "Khorovod" series. The story unfolds
through the figure of Mother Earth, which brings audiences closer to the
sources of the people's strength — a mother's unconditional love, care for
nature, strong family bonds, and a commitment to preserving historical memory
and long-established traditions.
"This
is a major event dedicated to the unity of our peoples. What dancing and music,
what wonderful folklore, what national costumes! Even we don't realise just how
vast our country is, how deep and wide-ranging its culture is and how much
richness it holds. What matters most is that all this comes through in vivid
artistic images and in the skill of the performers. We need productions like
this, devoted to family, mutual respect, unity and the traditions and customs
we must preserve," said Artyom Ovcharenko, a principal dancer of the
Bolshoi Ballet, Merited Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania and
winner of the "Golden Mask" National Theatre Award.
The
original piece "Harmony" was a striking example of harmony both among
the country's peoples and between contemporary rhythms and folklore. It brought
together beatboxing and vocals from world beatboxing champion Vakhtang
Kalandadze and Saniyat Tlukashaova, a soloist with the "Islamey"
State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of the Republic of Adygeya. In "Dance
of Nature", audiences saw contemporary choreography, throat singing, the
sound of the jaw harp and electronic sound design come together to striking
effect.
"I am
amazed that one production brought together so many different cultures. What
stayed with me most was the final khorovod, when everyone whirled together in
one dance. I also loved the use of colour, especially the emphasis on red. It
was very powerful and symbolic," said Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a
participant in the III International Symposium "Inventing the Future"
and the first Malaysian citizen to travel into space, sharing his impressions.
The
original piece "Who's Going Home?" immersed audiences in Russia's
rich and varied cultural legacy and presented Cossack culture as a symbol of
courage and daring. At its heart was a reworked composition rooted in the
folklore of southern Cossack villages, the Greben Cossacks and 19th-century
settlers. The piece featured singer PLUTTO, sabre-spinning performer Maria
Gryaznova, the YAR Moscow Song Theatre and FOLK LAB, a laboratory for new folk
dance.
One of the
liveliest moments of the evening was "Porushka", in which young
performers boldly reinterpreted tradition while staying connected to its roots.
The Russian folk song "Porushka-Paranya" took on a contemporary sound
as performers from different genres came together — the ART FORCE dance studio,
the "Domisolka" Children's Musical Theatre, virtuoso drummer Stepan
Chetverikov and young DJ Alisa Alexandrova.
Dobrynya
Satin, a performer of ethnic music and throat singing from Altai, joined the
"Far East" ensemble from Khabarovsk and the "Steppe
Melodies" ensemble from the Irkutsk Region to take guests on a musical
journey to Altai. The piece "Under the Altai Sky" portrayed Russia as
a country of families in which traditional values are its main source of
strength.
"It's
my first time in Russia, and I found myself at this wonderful celebration
straight away, where I could see the full diversity of its culture. The music
stayed with me most. I can still hear it and remember everyone dancing! It's a
real joy to see unity emerge from such a diversity of regions, peoples and cultures,"
said Geetha Manjunath, a participant in the III International Symposium
"Inventing the Future" and member of the Indian National Academy of
Engineering (INAE).
The finale was "Pereplyas. Our People Join the Khorovod". All the ensembles came together to present the best of their respective cultural and artistic traditions. The production ended with a shared khorovod, a symbol of unity, mutual respect and shared energy, in which both the audience and the performers took part.
The first day of the III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" has come to a close at the National Centre RUSSIA.
Journalist Laura Dzhugelia led the discussion on finding someone you connect with and keeping love alive amid digital and social change.
The event brought together representatives of cultural institutions and participants in the international art residency.
