BERT
Armenia is not an easy country. True element of a geographical barrier, it separates the East from the West and periods of calm are rare given the clashes. Its geographical structure, highly volcanic, has often plunged it into disasters. Life is not simple there even if its people keep a real good mood, a sense of poetry, a humor that is expressed through countless proverbs or jokes.
«Haiastan, Karastan or the Armenia of stones». This is how it was known since ancient times. The stones are always there, countless and rough, extraordinary when it comes to building churches, funerary steles or monuments for a deeply orthodox people, one of the first in the history of Christian religion since converted from the 4th century at the initiative of Saint Grigor.
Its geographical position makes it a place of mixing of races, cultures, constantly in contact with invaders coming from the four cardinal points who did not pass without leaving traces in this people. He acquired a remarkable knowledge at the artistic, literary, scientific or commercial level, which did not fail to influence popular culture, its songs, music and dances.
The dancers are proud. Their dances are fiery, impetuous, fast, acrobatic and virile: jumps, falls on the knees, turnstiles or pyramids. The leg games are made of slides, spikes executed right on the toe in soft leather boots, often reminiscent of the horse’s step, while the movements of the arms evoke the flight of the eagle. Two animals that are an integral part of the Armenian landscape.
The dancers are honored and respected by men. They dance with a light step with modesty combined with noble assurance. They are thought to be sliding on the icy lakes and rivers of their country. Hand movements are essential because each finger gesture has a precise meaning. With always this fixity of the body, arms and legs marking the rhythm. And sometimes a bit of freedom when their suppleness and hair evoke the undulations of wheat in the fields and the wind blowing in the trees.
The orchestra plays ancient instruments very particular to this country, some of Arab inspiration, others curiously resembling the Breton bombards. The men’s costumes are warrior and martial, underlined by cartridge boxes. Those of the women are embroidered and carved in silk, which gives them great nobility.
We invite you to rediscover a ballet whose patriotic faith, the momentum of its show and the remarkable choreography that governs it, will be as many pleasures to rediscover. 'Bert' is the reference in his country. Known worldwide, this group brings us the best of Armenian popular culture.
