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| home | news lDidgeridoo echoes around Red Square
30 May 2005 - MOSCOW: It’s not quite Pitjantjatjara meets Putin, but it’s close. Muscovites have been astounded by the sights and sounds of an Aboriginal dance group performing to help publicise an Australian trade expo. It has been a meeting of cultural opposites — dark, ochre-daubed dancers from a hot continent bounding around to the sounds of a didgeridoo for the benefit of caucasian audiences more used to snow, black bears and balalaikas. “They’ve never been exposed to such a primitive existing culture before,” said Alice Springs dancer Nicole Willis, from the Descendance group. “They are totally intrigued and very inquisitive. You can see it written on their faces. Our reception has been phenomenal, overwhelming.” “We told a Russian TV interviewer the didgeridoo was the oldest woodwind instrument in the world, but I think he was a bit skeptical.” The dancers proved a great hit at a reception for Russian and Australian businessmen hosted by Australian ambassador Robert Tyson. The businessmen were told it was a tradition for one guest to be given the honour of joining the dance group, and the MC nominated Australia’s senior trade commissioner in Moscow, Gregory Klumov. He played his part in the performance, mimicking a kangaroo and a butterfly, to the delight of the guests. “Greg was a great sport,” said Ms Willis. “I told him if he ever needed a job, he could come and join our group.” – AAP Source: NIT related links :
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