#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. On April 29, the world celebrated Dance Day. There are many talented dancers in Taimyr. The most famous are the Heiro ensemble – a group with a half-century history, which immediately after its foundation became the hallmark of the territory, and the Taimyr children’s ensemble, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.
For 50 years Heiro (translated from Dolgan as ‘the rising sun’) has renewed its lineup more than once, but has always remained the best. The uniqueness of the group is in the performance of songs in the languages of the indigenous peoples of Taimyr, in dances imbued with northern culture, and costumes that are minimally stylized for the stage and even today are made from authentic materials (leather and fur) brought from the tundra.
The team involves representatives of all five indigenous ethnic groups of Taimyr: Nganasans, Dolgans, Evenks, Enets and Nenets. The ensemble’s repertoire includes over 40 choreographic compositions and dance miniatures.
The ensemble was created in 1969 by composer Alexander Koryukov and choreographer Vitaly Tselishchev. They recorded tundra songs and legends, studied traditional movements, sounds, costumes. All that formed the basis of Heiro’s songs and dances.
The photographic archive of the Nornickel Polar Division contains footage taken during the performance of the ensemble in Norilsk in 1972. It is not known which was the first dance performed by members of Heiro. Today’s performers also float in the air in the composition Taimyr Tambourines.
The status of the Taimyr folk song and dance ensemble of the peoples of the North Heiro was awarded in the 70s of the last century, and in 2018 it was recognized as an honored folk art group of the Russian Federation.
The exemplary children’s choreographic ensemble Taimyr of the Boris Molchanov Children’s Art School was founded in 1996. Its founder is the Honored Artist of Russia Vladimir Siguney.
Today, the leadership of the team was taken over by a student of Vladimir Siguney – a worthy son of the Tuhard tundra Semyon Yaptune.
For 25 years the Taimyr ensemble has traveled with performances almost all over Russia. It is a laureate and diploma winner of various festivals and competitions: regional, all-Russian and international.
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Text: Angelica Stepanova, Photo: Vladimir Makushkin, Alexander Haritonov and editorial archive
