Repertoire

Part I


1. PARTSA - A dance "Partsa" was created in Guria, one of the most beautiful regions of Georgia. Its choreographic is traditional festive round dance with its high spirit, dizzy rhythm and colorfulness. Special effect is created by so called "live towers" - dancer boys, standing on each other's shoulders in a few rows, who make circular movements. Linear motions of boys and girls make the traditional dance more multicolored and scenic one.

2. KARTULI - There fell to lot of the dance "Kartuli"; that it has been an integral sign and a visiting card of the Georgian nation. The first thing that catches attention of every spectator is the emphasized reverence for woman. A man is not allowed to touch a woman; moreover, he must keep a distance between himself and a partner woman during a whole period of dancing. His motions are retrained, his body does not move, hem of his choka (old Georgians men's clothes) does not even sway, and only expression of his face and quick graceful motions of his legs give away his inner excitement and desire; obviously, it is something more than reverence for the fair sex; just this attitude comprises attractive secret of the dance "Kartuli", which passes on from one generation to another and gives indescribable pleasure both to its performers and spectators.

3. KHORUMI - Ajara is the extreme South-Western region of the present Georgia. Just there, at the coast of the Balck sea, on the territory of mythological Kolkheti this warrior dance came into being. Its contents narrate about adventures of the warriors' detachment: cautious penetration into the territor y occupied by the enemy, taking up the position, reconnoitering, attacking, and winning a victory over the enemy and celebration. It gives imperceptible mysterious charm to the dance "Khorumi", which distinguishes it from other military dances, including round ones. Musical accompaniment of this ancient dance makes fascinating impression upon ones. Musical accompaniment of this ancient dance makes fascinating impression upon the audience with its very first sounds. There makes itself felt quiet strength in its intensive rhythm, there sounds inevitability of the almost uncontrolled phenomenon.

4. RACHULI - Racha region is one of the most beautiful localities of Georgia.This is tradishion Georgian dance of this region with joke elements.

5. ACHARULI - Foundation of this choreographic suite is Adjarian dance "Gandagana". Duet of a girl and a boy makes striking impression against the background of many people's festiv dancing. In contrast to "kartuli", relations of the girl and the boy are considerably freer and makes impression of slight flirtation.

6. SAMAIA - At first this dance was called a Georgian heathen ritual round dance, which was performed at people's festivities. However, in course of time this term has got more general importance; at present it means woman's dance, arranged on the trinity principle. In modern Georgian choreography foundation of "Samaia" has been plasticity and features of clothing, which were characteristic for historical portrait in Georgia medieval monumental painting; first of all, those typical for pictures of the worshipped Georgian queen Tamar (XII century). Proceeding from this, there is felt royal reserve and quiet in this dance mightily.

7. KHANJLURI - This dance is also called "Highland shepherds' competition". We would note in general that ardour, aspiration for leadership is characteristic feature of the Georgian nature; due to this competition is basis of many Georgian dances. Participants replace one another in this dance. Dizzy performing of dance manners, dancers perform the most complicated manners along the limited area among the daggers, stuck in the floor. Performers of this dance must be brilliant masters of dance

8. DOLI - "Georgian dolis surpassed African tom-toms" - wrote foreign media about the musical turn, performed by the Georgian dolis; it is true that leading dancers of the ensemble perform Georgian dance rhythms on this instrument perfectly well.

9. SIMDI - to the most beautiful Ossetic melody accompaniment two ranks of dancers enter this stage; boys in black chokhas with long sleeves and girls in white airy dresses. This wedding dance is founded on alteration of the black and white, clear graphic outline. Duets of the boys , standing on their toes and girls, gracefully sliding on the floor, create integrity due to the absolute symmetry observance. It is like the most beautiful ream.

10. SHEJIBRI - There are used manners, characteristic for "Khevsurulu", "Khanjluri" and "Mtiuluri", however, dancers' motions are stylized ones and are close to plasticity and rhythm of horsemen. This dizzy horsemanship, turning on their knees, skilful manual of daggers, fiery temperament creates mighty ecstatic supply.

 

Part II


1. PARIKAOBA - This dance starts with the scene of flirtation between a girl and a boy. Later another boy, who is also in love with the girl enters the stage. The boys begin to argue; gradually from words they came to blows and their ritual "Kechnaoba" (fencing) turns into real fighting. Both fighters have their own supporters and the dance more and more resembles real armed skirmish. At the critical moment the woman throws down a scarf between the fighters. As if by waving of the magic stick the fighters are stupefied where the are. Respect of the angry boys towards the fair sex is expresses strikingly in this choreographic scene. Reconciled with each other, the boys arranged themselves in semicircle and as one man they applaud to the girls, performing a round dance. But as soon as they finish dancing the ideal scene before our eyes changes considerably - Unsheathed swords sparkles again, dancers united circle is broken; cries of fight and dizzy rhythm of struggle interrupt graceful flow of the girls' round dancing and instead of it chaos of wild passions with sable-rattling and distorted faces takes place

2. DJEIRANI - This is the dance, grounded on motives of eastern legends, which depicts the exciting picture of hunting a magic jeirani (gazelle). This dance was staged and performed in a brilliant manner by Nino Ramishvili, one of the leading choreographers and dancers of the famous Georgian Choreographic ensemble Sukhishvili.

3. SVANURI - Svaneti region is one of the most beautiful localities of Georgia. Village Ushguli, which is the highest (2 500 m above sea-level) populated area in Europe, is located in this locality. Formidable mountain peaks are seen form there. One can say without any doubt that Svan's dances are as arrogant as these peaks; inhabitants of this locality added to the Georgian dance are scores of round dances, which are created during the period of heathenism.

4. KAZBEGURI - This dance transfers us to the northern borders of Georgia, to the gloomy mountains of Caucasus. Severe living conditions and continuous struggle for survival has left its mark on the mountain dances. "Kazbeguri" is performed by men. Their menacing countenance, clear angular motions affirm that only strong persons can live in mountain inaccessible canyons.

5. AFKHAZURI- This dance is performed women and men , apxazuri mesmerizes the audience with not only speed and gracefulness,This dance creates a mood and a desire to party.

6. KHONGA - Boys perform this dance, standing on their toes. Basic choreographic effect of the dance consists just in this manner. The boys on toes with papakhs (Caucasian hats) on their heads and gently moving girls bring us in the lyrical world.

7. KINTAURI - This dance is an example of town folklore. Kintoes were petty traders, who peddle in the street. Due to their occupation, kintoes has jaunty, sly and little offhand character, which is expressed vividly in the dance "Kintouri". Eastern plasticity, affected motions attract one's attention due to the local color and virtuoso performance.

8. WOMENS' DANCE - This dance with its wonderful lyricism, airy gracefulness and slow tempo, creates effective contrast against the other vigorous chorographical shows. The girls, dancing to tender melody accompaniment, remind us a flock of swans, sliding on a surface of lake.

9. MTIULURI - Everything that is scattered in Georgian dance art is accumulated in this dance. Dancer boys, in the presence of the girls, compete with each other by showing their courage and deftness, be performing dizzy manners, which adds some extra ardor to their dances while the girls dance with hidden pride. The boys should be great virtuosos to perform the manners, standing on their toes and turning on their knees.

10. FINAL