The Tsydynzhapov Buryat State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre will start its tour in Krasnoyarsk with performances of the ballet Land of Faith – Bargujin Tokum on June 10 and 11. The production was created to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Buryatia and premiered in 2023; it has been praised for its artistic ambition and cultural depth.
The ballet features music by the young composer Anastasia Druzhinina, a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory. Direction, choreography, set and lighting design are by Nikita Dmitrievsky, a familiar name to Krasnoyarsk audiences thanks to his work on Dante’s Catharsis. Music director is Vladimir Rylov, People's Artist of the Republic of Buryatia and recipient of the State Prize of the Russian Federation. Rylov previously worked in Krasnoyarsk on the rarely staged César Cui's opera The Prisoner of the Caucasus in 2017.
Land of Faith draws from ancient Buryat legends, following the story of two lovers—Tumen and Asuikhan—who cross dimensions in a timeless battle between light and darkness, love and prejudice. The ballet’s score weaves together traditional Buryat musical motifs with contemporary rhythms, while the choreography blends classical ballet technique with indigenous dance styles.
Visually, the production is a fusion of tradition and innovation: expansive sets, animated costume elements, 3D projections, and a lighting design that immerses the audience in a mystical atmosphere. From shamanic rituals to serene Buddhist imagery, each scene is a chapter in a spiritual journey. With everything from the haunting tones of the morin khuur to powerful dance duets, the production delivers a story that is moving, thought-provoking, and visually stunning.
Tickets for Land of Faith are available at the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre box office (phone 227-86-97, open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM), on Krasopera.ru, and via regional online ticketing platforms.
