This week, for the first time, my programme is not about an individual, but about an entire dance group – the famous “Beryozka” ensemble.

This unique choreographic ensemble has been performing with extraordinary success both in Russia and abroad for the last 60 years! A newspaper in Paris once wrote “It’s enough to see just one concert by Beryozka to know Russia. The actors’ dances convey the Russian temperament, the strength and beauty of the people”. These words are very accurate. It’s hard to say just what makes the biggest impression: the intricate patterns woven by the beautiful Russian dancers on the stage; the amazing arrangements of Russian folk melodies; or the gorgeous costumes. You feel as if your soul is entering a fairy tale. Beryozka always brings so much joy to every person in the audience!

It was fascinating for me, of course, to meet the members of the group. They’re like one big and very happy family, in which everyone knows and loves their job, and they understand each other almost without the need for words or gestures. To be honest, I really wanted to invite Beryozka to my festival to show the young gymnasts what folk dance in classical style is all about. After all, the ballet bar is just as essential for the Beryozka dancers as for the gymnasts.

Beryozka’s leader, Mira Mikhaylovna Koltsova, puts the group’s enduring success down to the fact that they love what they do and love their country. Behind their simple and modest words lies a genuine commitment to their art – an art that has even helped Russia solve a few diplomatic problems! So it turns out that Russia’s image abroad is not so much formed through carefully devised techniques and methods, but with the help of the country’s cultural heritage – the Bolshoy Theatre, the Hermitage and the Beryozka ensemble.

Find out about the history of this unique group in “Steps towards Success” on REN TV at 1130 on Sunday 15 November. The programme will be repeated at 0015 on 16 November.