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“In Krasnodar Philharmonic Society of G.F. Ponomarenko took place creative jubilee party, devoted to the 60th birthday of the Artistic Director of “Free Cossacks” State Dance and Song Company, national artist of Russia – Nikolai Kubar.
In the past he was a virtuoso-dancer, stunt-maker. Nikolai Kubar deserved a lot of enjoyable responses as a teacher. His company is very young, but the results surpassed the expectations. “Free Cossacks” had success even in the Kremlin’s State Palace. The company performed out of Krasnodar Territory many times – and always successfully.
Nikolai’s Kubar wife – Irina become an irreplaceable assistant for him. She was a dancer and now she is a head-choreographer of the company.
Due to their selfless labour and inspiration the cultural layer – folk choreography art – is mastered in Kuban…”
- “The Kuban News”, April 3, 2007 (#48)
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Bio
KRASNODAR PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
RUSSIA
“FREE COSSACKS” STATE DANCE AND SONG COMPANY
Nikolai Kubar - Artistic Director, People’s Artist of Russia and Ukraine
The “Free Cossacks” State Dance and Song Company (in Russian the company’s name is “Kazachya Volnitsa”) was established in 1985 by the Krasnodar State Philharmonic Society of Russian Federation (Krasnodar is the capital of the southernmost region of Russia called Krasdodarski Krai, officially Krasnodar Territory. “Kuban” is another synonymous name to Krasnodar. It is the main health resort complex of Russia including the Black Sea coast with Sochi as capital of Winter Olympics - 2014).
Its huge repertoire including numerous dance and songs of Kuban Cossacks is based on old cultural traditions of Russia, Ukraine and Northern Caucasus (the Cossacks are a traditional community of martial people living in the southern regions of Russia, Ukraine, Siberia and Northern Kazakhstan. They are famous for their self-reliance and military skills, particularly horsemanship. The Cossacks were guardians of ethnic and state boundaries of Russia).
The indissoluble unity of Russian, Ukrainian and Northern Caucasian cultures is one of the main values masterfully presented to audience by the company. It is vividly expressed in texts, music, details of costume and stage properties. The Russian daring and commutability, Ukrainian humor and lyricism, Caucasian passion of mountain dwellers demonstrate the best example of mutual enrichment of peoples.
The artists clothes are close to genuine - even the dancers, singers and musicians bright costumes are made up to the traditional Cossack regiment colors.
United Kingdom, Cyprus, Greece; took part in numerous festivals in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. It became Grand Prize-winner of Bellingham International Folklore Festival (UK) and Laureate of the Black Sea Basin Countries Festival (Thessaloniki, Greece).
The company has dance troupe, choir and instrumental group. Depending on project and concert program the company puts on stage up to 116 artists.
Nikolai Kubar is artistic director of the company. For years he was the leading dancer and choreographer of the Kuban Cossacks Choir (Krasnodar, Russia), Igor Moiseyev State Dance Company (Moscow, Russia), Alexandrov State Song and Dance Company (Moscow, Russia) and other prominent dance companies of the former Soviet Union. His performances bring him great fame and highest artistic titles of the former USSR and present-day Russia. Under his leadership the “Free Cossacks” Company has started new phase in its international career.
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