A dancer from the former
soviet republic of Georgia.
Derek Franklin
As the temperature here in Pattaya seems to be rising by the day and
the news channels are full of stories of heavy snow in many parts of
Northern Europe and North America, spare a thought for a group of school
children who recently arrived in Pattaya from northern Siberia.
Coming to Pattaya to perform ethnic dancing as part of a Russian cultural
tour, the temperature when the children left home was minus twenty three
degrees Celsius, just a normal day for this time of year.
They, along with many other Russian children, arrived at the Father Ray
Foundation to perform for the children and take part in a talent
competition.
A Russian robotic
dancer.
Dancers and singers from local dance institutes,
international schools, as well as several schools throughout Russia all
competed for the large crown and the three judges who sat in front of the
stage.
For many in the audience, including the children of the Father Ray
Foundation, the highlight of the whole event was watching the dancers from
northern Siberia.
Dressed in fur lined coats, leather boots and topped with a fur hat, they
danced around the stage with so much energy and enthusiasm that even the
audience looked exhausted when they finished.
A short while later they arrived back on stage to perform a traditional
reindeer dance. Once again they were dressed in thick winter clothing and
the question on everyone’s lips was ‘are they hot’, to which the children
replied with a smile on their faces ‘just a little’.
The whole afternoon was an amazing insight into Russian culture and to see
how established the Russian community has become in Pattaya in just a short
time.
Ready to perform a
traditional reindeer dance.
A singing duo.
Although there was no rain
these dancers did a wonderful dance with umbrellas.
These young men were dressed
more for Siberia than Pattaya.
Dancers from a local dance
school.
These dancers travelled all
the way from northern Siberia.
A future superstar.
