I Have an Affinity with China

---Interview with Russian Accomplished Performer Elena Ponomarova　

At the 7th China International Folk Art Festival, the excellent performances of the State Academic Siberian Russian Folk Choir left the audience a deep impression, the Gypsies-style Russian folk song Two Guitars that was performed at the opening ceremony, in particular, with its familiar melody reminded many people of beautiful memories. With the melodious song of the leading singer, the enchanting Russian scenery reappeared before people’s eyes, which received warm applauses from the audience. The leading singer was Russian accomplished performer Elena Ponomarova.

Among the six accomplished performers of the State Academic Siberian Russian Folk Choir who came to China this time, Elena Ponomarova has the longest record of service, for she was granted as Russian accomplished performer in as early as 1987. She is very proud of this. “Not all performers who take on this work could receive this honor, since some people could not get this honor even though they work on this for their entire life.” As she stated, this honor is not only granted to people working in the chorus field but also to people who work in many other art fields, such as movie field, etc. Moreover, every state of Russia has its own special evaluation institute; they reported the name list of would-be receivers to the governor, then only after the examination and approval of the Ministry of Culture of Russia could the honor be granted to receivers.

In fact, it is not the only honor that Elena Ponomarova has received. Graduating from Cultural and Art Academy of Siberia, Elena Ponomarova came to the State Academic Siberian Russian Folk Choir and took on the work of professional singing. To date it has been 38 years and she always plays an important role in the troupe. For her excellent achievements and her long-term performances in 1995 President Yeltsin himself granted her with the Second-Class State Medal. No more that five people in her city received this honor and she was also one of the first State-Medal receivers in Siberia. 

The State Academic Siberian Russian Folk Choir is the only state choir in Siberia and it is also a very famous art troupe in Russia. The troupe has more than 250 chorus programs including Russian folk songs and its original songs. The song Two Guitars that was performed this time is both the troupe’s and Elena Ponomarova’s best program. Speaking of the artistic characteristics of the State Academic Siberian Russian Folk Choir, Elena Ponomarova told us that in Siberia it is very hot in summer and quite cold in winter and that the temperature could reach as low as -40℃. Moreover, there are large primitive forests and bears often appear in forests. Therefore, in their songs and dances, besides preserving Russian traditional flavor, they also add the figure of bears, as at the opening-ceremony performance of the art festival, on the two sides of the stage, two performers dressed like black bears and danced with others.

Founded in 1945 the State Academic Siberian Russian Folk Choir has visited over 40 countries in its history of over 60 years. Elena Ponomarova has a very deep affinity with China, for she has made performances in China for more than 10 times. She still clearly remembers the scenery of her first coming to China, “it was at the beginning of 1990s, with the warm invitation of a Chinese folk art troupe we came to the Heihe that is a border city. We only had 5 performers.” In 1997 she also went to Urumqi of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and gave performances for celebrating the new airline between Siberia and Urumqi, and that time it was also a small performing troupe of five people.

The latest time when Elena Ponomarova came to China for performances was in 2001. As she said, “I have a good impression of China, and for the past few years I feel that every year China has new great changes. It is so amazing. What makes me feel lucky is that my niece got married with a Chinese man, now they are living a happy life in Beijing and I often go to Beijing to visit her. Both China and Russia are great countries and I wish that Chinese people and Russian people would get united and be good friends for generations.”

After participating in the 7th China International Folk Art Festival, Elena Ponomarova will go back to Russia with the troupe, because there are other performances waiting for them. October 28th is the seventieth anniversary of the foundation of the state of Siberia and, as one of the main troupes the State Academic Siberian Russian Folk Choir will give one-week performances in this celebration activity. Elena Ponomarova told us, “at present it is our most important task.”