#12 - JRL 7027
IGOR MOISEYEV TURNS 97

MOSCOW, January 21, 2003 /from RIA Novosti correspondent Natalia Kurova/ -- On January 22, the Rossiya concert hall will host a performance by the State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble, dedicated to its founding father and permanent leader Igor Moiseyev, who turns 97 on Tuesday, January 21.

Traditionally, all Moiseyev's followers get together on this day to congratulate their teacher and creator of the unique ensemble of folk dance.

This brilliant ensemble has been parading across the world for more than 60 years. It has toured almost all the countries, facing triumph and tremendous success. The first tour of Moiseyev's ensemble took place in 1942.

Igor Moiseyev started as a dancer in the Bolshoi Theatre. Terrific choreographer's career followed, and Moiseyev created an ensemble, capable of performing dances of all the world's nations and winning the highest praises for his creations with every nation. No wonder that Moiseyev's ensemble is called the dance anthology and encyclopaedia.

Moiseyev staged more than 300 dances of different peoples. Each dance reflects the spirit of the people, its traditions, manners, rhythm, unique national temperament and colouring.