Igor Moiseev State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble Sees Algeria Tour and Legacy
The Igor Moiseev State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble, known in Russia as GAANT, traveled to Algeria on May 10. Reports from TASS point to insights shared by the ensemble’s artistic director, Elena Shcherbakova, who holds the title of People’s Artist of Russia. This visit marks a significant cultural exchange and highlights GAANT’s ongoing role in showcasing traditional dance on international stages.
Shcherbakova reflected on the ensemble’s long history with Algeria. In 1976, GAANT became the first Russian troupe to open cultural ties with the North African nation, broadening the artistic dialogue between the USSR and Algeria. She noted that only three people from the original group remain in Algeria today: herself, Antonida Marnopolskaya, who leads the ensemble, and Viktor Nikitushkin, a former teacher who was part of the company as a dancer. The veteran artists acknowledge that the current performances will introduce a new generation to Russian ballet and folk traditions, a revelation for many in Algeria who are meeting GAANT for the first time. The touring group views this as a rare opportunity for cultural discovery and mutual appreciation across generations and borders.
In the Algerian program titled Dances of the Peoples of the World, audiences can expect a diverse lineup. The repertoire includes the Russian dance Summer, a Kalmyk dance, and the Moldavian ensemble Jok. A choreographic piece titled Football joins the program alongside a Gypsy dance, a suite of Mexican dances, and a Greek dance called Sirtaki. The Argentine shepherd’s dance Gaucho and the iconic Apple Suite complete the lively evening. Performances are scheduled at the Algiers Opera House on May 11, 12, 13, and 14, offering a vivid cross-section of folk and classical movements designed to resonate with local audiences while honoring GAANT’s roots.
The Algeria tour comes in a broader context of longstanding collaboration between Russian performing arts institutions and international partners. GAANT’s history in Algeria underscores the enduring appeal of folk dance as a universal language, capable of bridging cultures and creating shared experiences. The ensemble’s leadership emphasizes continuity and evolution, honoring past tours while inviting new interpretations through contemporary staging and expressive storytelling. For Canadian and American audiences, the tour demonstrates how traditional dance can travel across continents, inviting viewers to reevaluate global cultural exchange and the ways in which heritage can be kept alive through performance.
Observers recall a separate moment when diplomats considered a performance tour by the Moscow Art Theatre troupe in Japan. The plan, then led by Konstantin Khabensky, illustrates the same old impulse: art as a diplomatic instrument, capable of soft power and cross-cultural dialogue. In Algeria, GAANT’s presence continues that tradition, presenting a rich catalog of dances that celebrate movement, music, and communal memory. The ensemble’s mission remains clear: to preserve cherished forms while inviting new audiences to experience them in dynamic settings away from traditional stages. This approach not only preserves a national heritage but also transforms it into a living, evolving art form that resonates with people around the world.