The Little Birch Tree Dance Troupe from Russia -- Beriozka

Last night I saw The Little Birch Tree Dance Troupe from Russia (Beriozka) at the Jinsha International Theater of the Chengdu Art Center.

The troupe, recently named as the Traditional Cultural Heritage of Russia, presented a colorful display of Russian folk songs and dances. The program included a girls' round dance "Beriozka" (a birch tree) to the music of the folk song, Vo Pole Beriozonka Stoyala (There was a birch tree in the field.).

The round dance Beriozka, now acclaimed as a national treasure in Russia, marked the birth of a new style of performance in the Russian stage choreography, featuring the wonderful "floating" steps, which has delighted spectators all over the world.

Being the representaives of Russian folk dances, the troupe has become the symbol of Russian folk arts. In the past 59 years, the LIttle Birch has visited more than 60 countries in the world. Their visit to Chengdu was part of the troupe's tour to eight cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Suzhou and Shenzhen. -- From the Chengdu Weekly, February 4, 2007. Below are a series of scenes from their performance last evening.