The opening ceremony of the VI World Folkloriada CIOFF ® held in Ufa

The VI World Folkloriada CIOFF® has started in Bashkortostan. The opening ceremony took place on July 3 at the Ufa-Arena Ice Palace.

Creative teams from 37 countries of the world - these are 1100 artists - attended the spectacular and large-scale event. The celebration was divided into several blocks dedicated to the land, soul and folklore. The heroes of the epics showed the audience the centuries of Bashkir people history, a path filled with legends and myths from the moment of the world creation to the festive Sabantuy. The Republic as the host country presented a colorful program.  

The Guinness Book of World Records holder Elbrus Nigmatullin took part in the opening ceremony. One of the strongest man in Russia and the world appeared in the image of the greatest hero of antiquity Ural Batyr.  

World Folkloriada CIOFF anthem sounded in Ufa for the first time. The solemn composition was performed on the stage of the Ice Palace by Russian singer Marina Devyatova and Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, People's Artist of Bashkortostan Republic Askar Abdrazakov.   

People's Artist of the Russian Federation Nadezhda Babkina took part in the opening ceremony of the VI World Folkloriada CIOFF®.  

The concert program was adorned with the artists’ performances of Kh.Akhmetov Bashkir State Philharmonic Society, «Miras» Folk Song and Dance Ensemble,
F. Gaskarov State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble, Kuban Cossack Choir, Sterlitamak Dance Theater, «Safar» Exemplary Choreographic Ensemble (Tuimazy), «Uraltau» Dance Ensemble of Uchaly State Philharmonic Society and «Berkhomut» folk dance Ensemble (Uchaly) and other folklore groups of the republic.

The show presenters read out a congratulatory telegram from Russian President Vladimir Putin in the official part of the opening ceremony.

The Head of the Bashkortostan Republic Radiy Khabirov and President of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Traditional Arts (CIOFF) Philippe Bossan made welcoming speeches. It should be noted that, Philippe Bossan spoke Bashkir language at the end of his speech. 

For the opening ceremony of the VI World Folkloriada, more than 500 smart lighting devices, 800 square meters of LED screens, unique mechanisms and automation systems designed specifically for the opening ceremony, dozens of the most modern laser video projectors, more than 100 kW of sound equipment, smoke and cryo effects were needed.