Daghestan is the native land of
the dance Lezginka
Musical
and dancing competition for the best performance of Lezginka named after
Patimat Omarova has been held
in Daghestan, the native land of Lezginka,
annually since 2000. The competition took place in the capital of the
republic Makhachkala. At first it was a republican, later Caucasian competition
and now it is international.
Among its participants and laureates there are many
young beginners and legendary authorities on Lezginka of the last years
and modern coryphee of Lezginka over the Caucasus. This year dancers and
musicians from all Caucasian communities of Europe, Asia and America -
participants of the fourth international competition - will gather in
Turkey, in the town of Yalova (see section "
The
fourth competition")
We put tolerance into practice
As
it is known, eternal values should be propagandized. Now we feel lack of
positive examples and hope that our project will event a beneficial influence
on the society by bringing eternal ideas of good and peace. Now people speak
much about upbringing of tolerance to other peoples, about the necessity
of preserving peace in the Caucasus, but our competition is a real deed,
an attempt to put these ideas into practice. The conception of our competition
is based on practical, but not theoretical, friendship of peoples.
We don't make a profit on our competition
Our competition is not
commercial, but cultural event with certain creative cultural and
historical tasks (see section "
Aims and
tasks").
It is a principal position of the organizers.
The only public performance of the participants is the final in which
a lot of guests with their pieces take part.
Tickets for this performance
are not sold! Our friends, lovers of folk music and dance
get
invitation cards.
The name of the competition
During
the presentation of the project the main organizer and the author
of the project Omar Omarov was asked "Why is it named after
Patimat Omarova?". He answered: "She is my mother. I have
organized the competition in her memory". The explanation was
quite enough. But it had its own history: Patimat Omarova from the
village of Tsudakhar brought up three nieces who danced in the first
legendary staff of Daghestan state ensemble "Lezginka".
She taught them and her own children to love Daghestan music and
dance. So the competition was organized to support this love in
people.
We are democratic
Any performer of Lezginka
not younger than 14 years old may take part in the competition.
There is no upper age limit. Nationality, citizenship, place of
permanent residence, height, weight and other characteristics
of the participants are of no importance.
The main condition
is performance mastery of the participants (see section "
Conditions
of participation")
We are interested in both dancers and musicians
The competition consists of
two parts: performance of the tune of Lezginka on folk musical
instruments (see section "
Musical
competition") and performance of the dance Lezginka (see
section "
Dance competition").
Final competition of dancers and musicians is an exciting performance
full of passion and expression. It takes place on a large
scene with the presence of spectators and jury.
What are they complete in?
The
name of the first two competitions (which were held in 2000 and
2001) included one more definition of Lezginka: "Daghestan
folk Lezginka". The use of folk elements was one of the main
demands to the participants. But after the competition has become
international we realize that we cannot demand it from all participants.
That is why our
guests dance "guest Lezginka" and the
hosts of the competition dance their own Daghestan Lezginka
(see section "
Conditions of participation").
There are special demands only
for participants from Daghestan
The participants from Daghestan should dance
Lezginka using Daghestan folk elements. And only they have to
pass few select rounds with special jury before they reach the final.
Other republics and countries delegate their participants. Organizers
of the competition have the right to invite any other dancers and
musicians whose performance mastery corresponds to the standarts
of the competition to take part in it.
We try to be objective
The
members of the jury are professional choreographers from all countries-participants
(one member from each country), Representatives from states and
republics who take part in the competition may delegate choreographers
from other countries (or refuse representation in the jury).
The
main condition is that professionalism of the members of the jury
must be beyond doubt. The chairman of the jury and the main
organizer of the competition, Omar Omarov, of his own free will
refused to vote and provides technical security of the work of the
jury.
We are interested not only
in soloists but in pairs and ensembles
They take part in the main competition.
The dancer who performs original, technically perfect piece with
elements of Lezginka in choreography and/or music is to take part
in a gala performance.
We are independent…
The
peculiarity of the project is that organization and financial
security are performed on the initiative and with direct participation
of one family - the Omarovs.
The main principle of preparation
for the competition is that all organizing problems are settles
by organizing committee. And it gives up opportunity to realize
our plans and provides the high level of organization of the competition.
It is participation of the author of the project in its realization
that makes possible warm creative atmosphere, atmosphere of friendship
and mutual trust.
…but we are open to contact
and cooperation
We ask for nothing, but we
don't refuse support. We have declared and declare that we are
ready to cooperate with state and private organizations, institutions
of culture. However ministries and departments of Daghestan republic
refuse to support our competition though there is no doubt that
it is one of the brightest event in cultural life of our republic
and the whole Caucasus.
Lezginka is going to travel
all over the world
It
is paradox, not Daghestan but Turkish authorities took an official interest
in supporting our competition. The budget of Turkish town of Yalova has
included carrying out the fourth competition for the vest performance
of Lezginka. Since this year the competition will take place in different
cities and countries introducing history and culture of Caucasian people
to public and propagandizing open and peaceful character of Caucasian
people.