A Kalach to Bake, a Show to Make!
Kalachinsk turned a year older on August 19. And even though the rain came pouring down in the evening, the day’s festivities — the Kalach Bread Festival and the “Soul of Russia” Festival — were absolutely fantastic!
Parade
Traditionally, Kalachinsk Day Celebration kicks off with the “We Are a Part of Russia” parade
The large column includes representatives of town’s enterprises and institutions
After making some noise on the central streets, they finish at Yuri Gagarin Park
The newly renovated recreation area hosts the main festive events
Let’s hurry through the Gates of Happiness
Right behind them, the Kalach Bread Festival is being held for the seventh time!
Kalach Bread Festival
All of this baking is part of the competition
Dozens of participants from nearby settlements brought kalachs and sweet pastries
Absolutely every entry has its own special touch
The housewives have every right to be proud of their handmade masterpieces
The jury members ask about the details of creating each “contestant”
Once the culinary project defense is complete, it’s okay to smile for the press
The festival welcomes creativity in all its forms
Among the competition participants are representatives of educational institutions
The cookies were made specially to treat the festival guests
Far from everyone here is a professional pastry chef…
…which doesn’t stop these skilled bakers from making superb desserts and tastefully decorating the tables
The emotions gained at the festival will last a whole year
On the Park Alleys
The park offers visitors other activities as well
Some areas are a nod to the glorious Soviet past
Collective farms played an important role in providing bread for a vast country
Farmsteads are set up everywhere: here, for example, the “Meeting” ensemble welcomes guests
The tables are decorated so elaborately they could rival the Kalach Bread Festival
You can treat yourself to homemade pies or some kvass
“Soul of Russia” Festival
Meanwhile, the “Soul of Russia” Festival kicks off on the park’s main stage
It is opened by the “Youth” dance ensemble (Kalachinsky District)
All participants from 20 districts of the Omsk Region take the stage
The focus is on the culture of all the peoples of Russia
On behalf of the organizers, the audience is greeted by Friedrich Metsler and Svetlana Bakulina
A few more words of encouragement, and it’s time to start!
The “Kalinushka” choir (Omsky District) performs a song about the homeland
Vocalists from the Maryanovsky District take the baton with the song “Mother Earth”
The act of the “Rainbow” dance ensemble’s (Cherlaksky District) is called “Harvest Sorrows”
More bright performers — the “Sonorous Voices” vocal studio
These kids from the Isilkulsky District know how to have fun!
Meet the “Inspiration” dance troupe (Omsky District)
The Dagestani maiden dance is beauty and expressiveness
The dance makes active use of hands and shoulders
The choreographic culture of the peoples of the Caucasus is known and loved worldwide
The stage is briefly back in the hands of the “Sonorous Voices” vocal studio
Next up is the “Grace” dance ensemble (Russko-Polyansky District)
Their piece is called “Blue Eternity”
The audience follows the kaleidoscope of brilliant performers with great interest
“Don’t Lose Heart” — sing the cheerful young vocalists
And so the “Vocal Studio” creative collective (Kalachinsky District) bids us farewell
The “Bekhlein” dance ensemble (Azovsky District) turned to Jewish culture
The dance’s name — “A Good Day” — fully applies to today
And once again, a song: the “Slavs” vocal ensemble (Odessky District)
The next piece is the Bashkir lyrical dance “Long Hair”
It is brought to life by the dancers of the “Razdolye” ensemble (Sherbakulsky District)
Performing in a vibrant troupe is both a great joy and a great responsibility
When fellow performers applaud, it means everything came together!
Closer to 4 PM, the sun filled the stage quite opportunely, and the costumes came alive in all their splendor
The looks leave not the slightest doubt: these are “Birds of Paradise”
The “Emerald” ensemble (Tyukalinsky District) dances in perfect sync
The symbolic “wings” make everyone fully believe in the transformation
Bravo to the performers, to the choreographer, and to the designer!
There’s a place for ballroom dancing at the festival too: the “Elegy” ensemble (Kormilovsky District)
And now before us are “The Knitting Petticoats” — another complex narrative act
The craftswomen hold knitting needles and yarn, ready to knit
Is it really possible to combine dancing and handicraft at the same time?
The “Image” collective from the Tyukalinsky District proves that it is
And as proof, they present an entire rug at the finale of the dance number!
The “Native Melodies” veterans’ choir (Okoneshnikovsky District) sings about village life
Svetlana Beznichuk (Maryanovsky District) performs “The Russian Bayan’s Song”
And of course, the bayan is the perfect accompaniment for such a piece
A little more dancing: “Swans”
The “Elegy” group (Odessky District) has come to the festival
Youth and energy are key ingredients of stage success
The bass balalaika heralds yet another Russian folk song
Maria Sharikhina (Omsky District) shares how “Malanya Scattered Her Beans”
Folklore enthusiasts from the Azovsky District dance to the “What’s in the Meadows” medley
The People’s Choir of Russian Song (Odessa District) surprised with their academic approach
The piece “God Grant Peace and Happiness to Russia” was performed by the choir and orchestra
The theme was continued by the “Willows” ensemble (Okoneshnikovsky District)
And now the microphones are with the “Siberian Girls” ensemble (Cherlaksky District)
Male vocals sound powerful and confident
The Poltavka Choir also takes part in the festival with a Cossack song
The audience clearly loves the performances and wants to capture the best moments
Nuriya Khusainova (Sherbakulsky District) moved everyone to tears with a wartime song
The “Ashberry” vocal ensemble (Novovarshavsky District) added even more emotion
The highlight of the program — the “Cheerful” spoon players’ ensemble (Moskalensky District)
The collective includes little ones, so the continuity of traditions is assured
The piece “A Girl Walked Through the Garden” turned out dynamic and captivating
Now the final song is heard
The “Soul of Russia” Festival and the daytime part of the celebration are drawing to a close
The performers of this beautiful, many-hours-long concert bid farewell to the audience
All that is left is to take one last look at the lovely photo zones
Maybe even take a commemorative shot with the floral installation
And wish Kalachinsk confident growth on its day!
