Now the group is called the National Ballet “JOC”. The ensemble was created in Chisinau in August 1945 by choreographer Leonid Zaltsman on the basis of the dance group of the choir chapel “Doina”. The name “JOC” symbolically intertwines two meanings: the name of a Moldovan folk dance and the Latin word “jocus”, which means joy, fun, festivities with music and dancing.
The brightest pages in the creative biography of the ensemble were written by the artistic director and chief choreographer Vladimir Curbet, People’s Artist of the USSR and the Republic of Moldova, winner of the State Prize of the USSR. He led the ensemble from 1957 until his passing in 2017. The choreographic canvases created by Vladimir Kurbet over the years of devoted service to the art of dance became an integral part of the spiritual life of our fellow countrymen. The master, carefully preserving and developing the original beauty of folk dance, was always based on authentic historical material and ethnographic accuracy. He knew: to perform folk dances well, one must live and work among the people. That is why, having headed the collective in the distant 1950s, he went to the village – “to look for what he had not seen”: mores, customs, dances, folklore. And he discovered whole scatterings of folk wisdom, collecting them bit by bit, trying not to miss anything. That is why Vladimir Kurbet’s stage works have always been characterized by amazing authenticity and completeness of form.
Under his leadership “JOC” gained world fame, successfully toured in more than 70 countries. And rightfully received the status of a business card of Moldova. The ensemble participated in many international festivals, was awarded dozens of medals and diplomas. The ensemble was awarded the Lenin Komsomol Prize for high performing skills and great contribution to the promotion of folk dance art. In 2005 the group was awarded the highest award of Moldova – “Order of the Republic”. During the years of service to the art of dance “JOC” has created a rich repertoire – about 80 dances, which include the most significant elements of traditional folk art of the Moldovan region, creatively reworked by choreographers.
These are just some of the musical and choreographic masterpieces that have made the ensemble world famous: “Hora mare”, “Bătuta”, “Căluşarii”, “Hora fetelor”, “Brâul”, “Sârba”, “Nunta moldovenească”, “Legenda Mărţişorului”. The ensemble’s repertoire also includes Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian folk dances and other nationalities.
According to Maria Andriuta, director of marketing and public relations of the National Ballet “JOC”, the management had two options for the jubilee concert: Arena Chișinău and Green Theater. In the end, they settled on the Green Theater. “Firstly, the team has performed there many times, it was such a beautiful summer variety stage. And secondly, it is the largest venue in Chisinau – the hall seats about 6,000 people, which allowed us to set fairly democratic ticket prices. We strived to ensure that the concert could be attended by as many spectators as possible, who have long wanted to go to the concert, but because of high prices, for example, to the National Palace named after Nicolae Sulac, could not afford it before. Until May 1, it was possible to buy tickets from 150 to 350 lei, from May 1, the prices increased by 50 lei”.
The celebration will also take place on August 13, which is considered to be the day of JOC’s creation. It will take place at the collective’s creative base, with the invitation of veterans. And in the fall, three unusual concerts are planned at the National Opera and Ballet Theater named after Maria Biesu.
Maria Andriutse noted that now the dance company is fully staffed – 25 couples. And the orchestra consists of 26 musicians under the direction of conductor Marin Gerasa, who is now the general director of the ensemble. Also at “JOC” there is a studio where about 100 young fans of choreography from 7 to 13 years old study. And it is in high demand. Now there are about 30 dances in the repertoire of the ensemble. In recent years, many dances and suites that had not been performed for decades have been restored.
This year “JOC” started active touring activity with two concerts in Poland, together with the State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble “Mazowsze”, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. It is among the largest ensembles in the world. “This is a very beautiful project,” Maria shares her impressions. – Then the joint program was presented to the Chisinau public in the framework of the International Music Festival “Mărcisor”. The concert had a huge resonance in the Moldovan cultural community: this has never happened before on one stage – 150 Polish artists and about 100 Moldovan artists! On April 26, “JOC” participated in the festival concert in one of the most prestigious halls in Romania – Sala Palatului, which has a grandiose stage and an auditorium with a capacity of more than 3,000 spectators”.
Nowadays, it is financially very difficult to go on big tours far abroad, explains Maria Andriutse. “Romania is close by, after all, and for such trips we have a bus that can accommodate the entire ensemble. Lately, the ensemble has often performed concerts around the country”.
The year before last, JOC had a successful cooperation with Lupii lui Calancea, they created a dance and vocal show “Povestea de iarnă”, the Ministry of Culture allocated funds, including for sewing costumes. “The result was 12 dances, which are stylized in a manner not quite usual for JOC,” explains the interviewee. – We continue to cooperate with Lupii lui Calancea. The ensemble tries to diversify the repertoire, because thanks to such joint shows with seemingly incompatible rock musicians – a large number of new audience is attracted. Our audience has become much younger, and it can’t but be happy”.
