Dance

World Folk Dance Traditions

The Kudrinka dance ensemble has carried on world folk dance traditions in Russia for almost forty years. These talented young dancers regularly perform exciting concerts in their bright costumes at city events: on Red Square on New Year’s Eve, in Victory Park on Victory Day, and in front of the Mayor’s office on Tverskaya on May Day. In 2007 and 2008 they won top awards at national dance competitions in the United States. Kudrinka’s dances draw upon folk traditions of Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and Spain, as well as tap, jazz and modern dance. Kudrinka is a dedicated group of more than fifty ranging in age from seven to fifty that rehearse and perform solely for the love of dance. Although officially amateur, their performances are of professional standard, and they were recently awarded the title National Folk Ensemble of Russia.

Kudrinka’s home base is a concert hall in the Dvoretz Kultura Mosmetrostroi not far from Kurskaya Metro station. The Dvoretz Kultura or Palace of Culture was founded for the workers that constructed Moscow’s Metro stations. A visit to DK Mosmetrostroi is like a step back in time. Inside, little has changed in the past 40 years. The grand concert hall, though worse for the wear, still bears a large, colorful Soviet era ceiling mural.

The large marble entry displays plaques dedicated to the opening of each of Moscow’s Metro stations.

Kudrinka has been invited back to the United States for a series of concerts this summer. They are now seeking sponsors that will help them carry world folk dance traditions to new frontiers.