Right in the center of Europe, neighbouring Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia there lies a wonderful land, that had been long ago named White Ruse. This is the land of thick forests, blue lakes, of simple landscapes leading to pensiveness. Friendly and kind hearted people named Belarusians live here.

They are an ancient Slavic nation with their own history, their own life style, with their own cultural heritage, having intertwined in it traditions of Belarusians national art with those of neighboring nations.

State Dance Company of Belarus (Folk Dance Ensemble) is the leading National choreographic company of Belarus. It was created 45 years ago and with time it became one of the best professional companies of the former Soviet Union.

For the last fifteen years the Company has been directed by Valentin Dudkevich, professor and People’s Artist of the Republic of Belarus. Folk art for him is the way to convey the historic tradition, linking generations. That’s why blending folklore and best achievements of the world choreography is not only the credo of the art of Valentin Dudkevich as the ballet-master, but also the most accurate definition of the whole contents and essence of the State Dance Company concert program.

The State Dance Company of Belarus repertoire comprises several large concert programs, which include not only Belarussian traditional and character genre dances, but dances of other nationalities living in Belarus as well. Belarussian audience fell in love with such dances as unfading with time “LYAVONIKHA” which became one of the symbols representing Belarus, comic “QUADRILLE ON THE STOOLS”, women’s tribal round-dance ”TERNITSA”, men’s dance “VYASKOVYIYA GULNI”(village games), the dance of lovers ”ARELI” (the swings), the rhythmical dance “TOPOTUKHA”, gypsy dance, Jewish dance, the Ukrainian dance “GOPAK”, Russian dance “ALONG THE WIDE STREET” and some other.

Recent productions of the Company show a new tendency of creating choreographic compositions with dramatic role playing elements in the genre of folk-ballet. This tendency is most vividly demonstrated by such dances as the lyrical dance “SPEV DUBRAV”(the melodies of the oak groves), episodes from the everyday life of the city youth “VECHARYNA”, dance compositions on the historic topic “EFROSINYA” and “POLONEZ”.

Staging new dances is possible due to the young, beautiful and talented team, well-trained both artistically and professionally. And the cast does consist of professionals - graduates of the State National Choreography College of Belarus and of the Belarussian State Conservatory.

Concerts by the State Dance Company of Belarus enchant its audience with the lavish colors of their costumes, beautiful melodies, virtuoso tricks and stunts, dazzling and dare-devil style of performance. The audience of China and USA, Italy and France, Spain and Brazil, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, Yugoslavia, the Netherlands, Egypt and other countries applauded numerous times to the art of the Dance Company performers.

Mass media of these countries always appreciated highly the level of professional and creative mastership of the concerts performed by the State Dance Company of Belarus.

Concerts of the State Dance Company of Belarus are accompanied by the instrumental orchestra. It consists of the Russian accordion, violin, flute, trombone, xylophone, percussion. The leading position of the orchestra is taken by the ancient string musical instrument - Belarusian dulcimer, which is famous for its sweet melodic sound.

All musicians of the orchestra have degrees of the Belarusian State Conservatory. They are virtuoso professional performers. The solo artist of the orchestra - Tatyana Kupreyeva - is the Prize-winner of the Moscow International performing companies and solo instrumental performers Contest.

All of the music performed by the Orchestra is the instrumental interpretations of ancient and modern Belarusian national melodies, which are carefully preserved by the Orchestra artists.

Born in 1943. Graduated from the Belarusian State Choreography College with the Degree of the ballet dancer. Graduated from the Belarusian State Drama and Arts Institute with the Degree in History and Theory of Fine Arts, also completed full course of post graduate studies at the Institute of Ethnography and Folklore of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Has the Master’s Degree of Arts Critic in Ethnography and Folklore. Had internship in Moscow and Paris. Since 1986 has been Director of the State Dance Company of Belarus.

Folklore art for Valentin Dudkevich is an ever blooming tree establishing a connection between generations. Carried out extensive research work jointly with the Belarusian University Folklore Laboratory, which resulted in creation of a number of interesting dance compositions. Valentin Dudkevich is a talented ballet-master and producer, possessing a fine taste. All that allows him to create humor and comic episodes from the common people’s lives, such as “KRUTUKHA” (whirl-around dance), “VYASKOVYIYA GULNI” (village games), “Quadrille on the stools”, also very spiritual and lyrical dances, like “ARELI” (swings), “TERNITSA”, “SPEV DUBRAV” (melodies of the oak groves), “KOKHANOCHKA” (my sweet-heart) and others. Currently is engaged in producing a new program in the genre of folk ballet, dedicated to the history of Belarus.

Casting of the company is done by Valentin Dudkevich of highly professional Choreography College graduates, also graduates of the National schools of art and Belarusian University of Culture.

The State Dance Company of Belarus , directed by Dudkevich , was on numerous concert tours in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Yugoslavia, USA, Brazil, China. Also successfully participated in the Art Festivals of various countries.

For contacts:
Phone: + 375172844209
E-mail: dancecompany_by@mail.ru
Web-master: madsi@max.ru