Dagestani ensembles "Druzhba" and "Imamat" won 5th Festival of Caucasian Peoples’ Culture in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, May 14, 2015. Dagestani ensembles "Druzhba" and "Imamat" became winners of the 5th Festival of Caucasian Peoples’ Culture held May 10 at the Gorky Palace of Culture in St. Petersburg. It was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The event was organized by the St. Petersburg committee for international relations and migration policy, the House of Nationalities, national and cultural associations (NGOs,) and the fraternities of the city.

This year, twelve ensembles of national and cultural associations of the northern capital were contesting the prize. The jury awarded the title of the festival winner, the diplomas and prizes of the festival to two Dagestani creative teams - the St. Petersburg Dagestani ensemble of Caucasian culture "Druzhba" and Dagestani Children’s and Youth Choreographic Ensemble "Imamat".

The festival featured a gala concert for the war veterans and residents of the besieged Leningrad, leaders and activists of the national-cultural autonomies, unions and local associations, youth, and intellectuals including Dagestani and St. Petersburg citizens.

After showing the scenes of the front life driving the audience back to the early forties when Nazi Germany treacherously attacked the Soviet Union, there was a solemn ceremony of awarding the distinguished participants.

Colourful costumes, graceful highlanders’ dances, their rhythm, shape, melody, original music and songs presented by the young artists helped the audience familiarize themselves with Dagestani folk arts and inspired interest and respect for one of the oldest Caucasian cultures. The performances of amateur actors were being accompanied by screening wartime documentary films and photo chronicle.