On October 21, within the framework of the international multi-genre festival-competition “Fiestalonia Georgia” in Tbilisi, the choirs and theatre groups of Moscow City University won several awards, demonstrating a high level of mastery and the university’s creative potential.
The trip left unforgettable impressions: a warm welcome, sunny weather, intense creative contests with teams from different countries, and an incredible sense of unity that prevailed among the MCU Institute of Culture and Arts team.
The choral groups “Kontrast” and “Artefact”, led by Professor Olga Gribkova and Associate Professor Olga Ushakova, delivered brilliant performances. Solo performers also stood out: teachers Ekaterina Nikolaeva and Daria Semenova, as well as master’s student Anna Kunak, captivated both the jury and the audience with their vocal skills.
Special congratulations go to undergraduate students Maria Avagimyan, Elizaveta Ryabitskaya, Sofia Alekseeva, Daniil Kornienko, and Galina Zeigman, who received second-degree diplomas in solo categories. A significant contribution to the success was made by concertmaster Galina Knyazeva, whose professionalism ensured the impeccable sound of the performances.
The institute’s theatre groups also achieved outstanding results. The “Uchebny” theatre, led by Irina Smirnova, presented a theatrical miniature based on Yevgeny Klyuev’s work “The Tale of the Nightingale Who Couldn’t Sing” and was awarded the title of second-degree laureate. Meanwhile, the “DanceIKI” troupe, directed by Associate Professor Olga Ershova and stage director Evgeny Bazheev, impressed the jury with their dance and movement show “The Pearl of Harmony: The Legend of the Jade Dragon and the Golden Phoenix”, earning the highest award — the title of first-degree laureate.
The trip extended beyond the competition performances. MCU educators Olga Gribkova, Olga Ushakova, Galina Knyazeva, Ekaterina Nikolaeva, and Daria Semenova conducted a series of professional workshops for ensembles from Belarus, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. Associate Professor of the Department of Socio-Cultural Activity and Performing Arts, Olga Ershova, held a master class titled “The Specifics of Stage Movement and Choreography of Multi-Genre Performances in Show Projects”, which received high praise from her colleagues.
The Institute of Culture and Arts of MCU expresses its sincere gratitude to the university and institute leadership for their comprehensive support and for providing the opportunity to showcase their creativity, proudly representing their alma mater on a prestigious international stage. This success once again reaffirms the high level of the teaching staff and the exceptional talent of our students.
Photo: Institute of Culture and Arts, MCU