A Masterclass of  Friendship: Where the Sari Meets Cossack CostumeThe Cossacks of Russia Children’s Studio performs at the Day of India Festival

On 22 August, the Children’s Folk Art Studio of the Cossacks of Russia State Dance Theatre performed at the 11th International Day of India Festival, held as part of the festival titled The World Walks Together. The troupe presented Lipetskaya Matanya(a traditional Russian folk dance and a distinctive “witty-ditty”melody that is considered a hallmark of the folk tradition of the Lipetsk region and neighboring areas of Central Russia),Valenki (Snow Boots), the Russian folk dance Veselukha (Merry Girl), the choreographic miniature Stanichnitsy (Cossack Village Girls), and other dances.

Sergey Tertychny, the Studio’s artistic director and Honored Artist of Russia, says:

“For our disciples, who are exploring the roots of folk culture, participating in the ‘Days of India’ at Gostiny Dvor became a unique masterclass in friendship. As guardians of the traditions of Russian daredeviltry and passion, we witnessed how sincerely and openly Indian art reveals its soul. This event showed the young performers that folk art knows no boundaries: the meeting of the sari and the Cossack costume at this celebration gave rise to a genuine unity of cultures. It is precisely this living interaction between two great traditions—imbued with shared kindness and friendship—that cultivates in children the most important thing of all: a sense of belonging to the wider world.”

The festival also featured four Gzhel painting workshops organized by the Association of Folk Art and Crafts of Russia.

The event was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and Federal State Budgetory Institution of Culture ROSCONCERT.