Touring Repertoire & Gallery
YALLI ZORKHANA:
History of the dance “Yalli” can be seen clearly from rock images in Gobustan, which date back 10-12 thousand years. Gemigaya, Nakhchivan. “Yalli” means row or chain line. Dancers stand in one or in a few lines. Before hunting, after hunting, before battle, after battle people danced Yalli around the fire to express their feelings through rhythms. There are more than 100 types of Yalli in Azerbaijan, each of them has special music and actions. Combining the new movements over time, Yalli dances have been modernized over time. In “Yalli Zorkhana,” we perform both the Yalli dance and the oldest sport Zorkhana which reveals developing muscles and bodies of wrestlers in reference their different weights, and preparation for sword battles. |
|
SHAKI:
Shaki is one of the oldest regions of Azerbaijan and has its own dance folklore. Reflecting on that ancient folklore we also added to our repertoire a “Shaki” dance. The dance is playful and fun with smooth rhythmical actions in the movements. The dance also showcases games “take a towel,” or “bone games” which reflect our national values. In general, this dance shows the nature, determination, and creativity of Azerbaijanians. |
|
CHOBANLAR (Shepherds):
Dance of the shepherds is a very popular repertoire piece as a result of its antiquity and unusual charm. The piece showcases wonderful music abilities, bravery of shepherds, and rich/bright/sharp/technical actions of Azerbaijan national games. Poems of shepherds, which were played with pipes, were intended to create the proper conditions to comfort sheep for healthy eating and growth. Shepherd faces express different dangers like wild animals or bandits, and shepherds became war-like and brave from spending much time in the lap of nature. Shepherds used the cudgel made from solid wood and his dogs for weapons, and they would also often play manly games. The entire dance plot is based on the life of these shepherds. |
|
GAZAKHI:
This dance is the characteristic of fighters with sharp movements showing discipline, order, and the beautiful figure of soldiers. There are two groups showcase the movements. At the end, one soloist comes to the stage and dances as "bey" dances with his serious movements, and then proceeds to test the two groups by a call and response sequence. Finally dancing all together, the dance is completed through playful, sharp, speedy, warrior-like movements. |
|
IGIDLER:
Igidler shows bellicosity, courage, and bravery. Two groups arrive on to the stage. The dance starts with one dancer from each group showing their heroism through technically difficult actions. Then, the two groups stand face to face and show their courage through movement. Finally, they begin individually dancing once again showing their technical skills with actions. The dance closes with a final synchronized group dance altogether. |
|
SHALAQOY:
Shala means “a bundle,” and the direct meaning of this dance expresses “let’s put our bundles down, and have fun.” The work is set as a dance competition and playing of music of children who put their bundles down after they have come back from collecting firewood in the forest. This work also includes various solo performances. |
|
SUITS OF AZERBAJAIN:
There are five very interesting melodies included in this dance. Underlying each of the melodies and rhythms, the dancers individually show their wonderful acts of courage through technical movements. At the close of the work, the dancers dance under the Azerbaijan flag on their knees to showing their dedication to the nation's flag. Most often, the ensemble performs this at the end of concert in order that the dancers may leave the stage under a military-like music to say farewell to the audience members. |
|