- Title: Russian horse theatre leaps into action after 13-year hiatus
- Date: 24th October 2019
- Summary: PERFORMERS SPINNING FIRE STAFFS TWO HORSE RIDERS HIGH FIVING
- Embargoed: 7th November 2019 07:31
- Keywords: horse theatre russia horses drama trick riding state equestrian theatre caucasus alania
- Location: VLADIKAVKAZ, RUSSIA
- City: VLADIKAVKAZ, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Theater
- Reuters ID: LVA003B2GIX4P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Narty State Equestrian Drama Theatre in Russia's Caucasus Republic of North Ossetia has opened its doors for the first time since 2006.
North Ossetia has a strong tradition horse breeding and training, with horses playing a fundamental role throughout the military and agricultural history of the local people.
To this day, horses are still used by Russian border patrols and in wedding ceremonies in the area.
The Narty theatre was founded in 1990 with participation from the Russian Ministry of Culture. However, tragedy struck on September 20, 2002, when seven of its performers were killed by the Kolka Glacier avalanche while working on a film set. The loss of its performers combined with financial difficulties led to the theatre effectively closing its doors for over a decade.
"They love their work and I think that this is the main driver that keeps the theatre alive," Narty Equestrian Drama Theatre Art Director Timur Sikoev said, referring to the performers.
The play performed this month, called Festival in the Mountains, is dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the birth of Ossetian poet Kosta Khetagurov, an Ossetian national poet who had a huge influence on local literature.
The performance drew heavily on local traditions, combining trick horse riding, fighting and singing in traditional costumes.
"It was great to see all the theory put into practice," audience member Madina Zangieva said.
(Production Kazbek Basaev, Peter Scott) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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