Moscow (Russia): Dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Independence of India, ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, and “Russia – India: The Binding Threads”
Theme: “Festivals welcoming the Spring”A program was dedicated to the spring festivals of Russia and India, uniting the cultures of the two countries. It was a beautiful meeting of Ancient traditions and a new perspective of them on the basis of Spiritual Knowledge. People of different professions gathered on one stage: talented dancers, musicians, singers, spiritual leaders, and, of course, grateful participants.
All those present got a fresh look at the Russian festival Maslenitsa, the Indian festival of colours, Holi, and the burning of an effigy of Ravana during Dashera.
The audience enjoyed the bright dances performed by the Indian dance ensembles: “Odissi Jivan Nritya” from the town of Shchelkovo and “G-Taal” from the town of Sergiyev Posad.
The BK students prepared a beautiful Russian dance symbolising the coming of Spring. The dance was prepared under the guidance of Mrs. Vera Zakharova, choreographer, and former solo dancer of the State Academic Ensemble of Folk Dance named after Igor Moiseev.
The famous song “Spring is Coming” by Isaak Dunayevsky was performed by Mrs. Ekaterina Furanova, singer, vocal teacher, and laureate of International and All-Russian song contests. A few songs were also presented by the BK students.
The culmination of the program was the talk by Didi Sudha, Director of the Brahma Kumaris Centre in Moscow. She spoke on the theme of how to conquer the real Ravan that symbolizes the vices of the soul.
Shestarted her brief talk by asking a question to the audience: Do they really want to conquer Ravan. Most of the people sitting in the hall raised their hands. Didi explained that it is possible to burn the Ravana inside only with the help of God, the Eternal Flame. When a soul remembers the Supreme Father with love, the fire of the Supreme Love burns the sins and weaknesses inside.
The festival ended with an energetic bhangra dance followed by a few minutes of silence.
