Moscow center of culture "Dagestan" marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary Dagestani tightrope walking collective, founders of the world famous circus dynasty "Tsovkra", people's artists of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and the Dagestani ASSR, Rabadan Abakarov and Yaragi Hajikurbanov. They were the first among highlanders who decided to become artists and turned tightrope walking into a circus art.
The Moscow House of Nationalities hosted a sold out event, dedicated to this anniversary. A large number of guests came to learn about the history of circus arts. Among them - descendants of famous dynasty - grandnephew of Rabadan Abakarov, Honored Artist of Russia Mukhtar Abakarov and his son Rasul, as well as famous disciples of Abakarov, circus performers and tightrope walkers Hussein Hamdulaev, Asiyat Agayeva and Zulfiya Agayeva. Other circus performers, representatives of ethno-cultural associations and youth organizations of the capital also participated in this event.
Opening the event, Arsen Huseynov, president of the Moscow center of culture Dagestan, noted that the village of Tsovkra brought up many famous personalities, including pilot, two time Hero of the Soviet Union Amet-Khan Sultan, founder of the State Academic Dance Ensemble "Lezginka", People's Artist of the USSR Tankho Israilov, 18 honored artists of Dagestan and Russia, a large number of scientists, professors, doctors and candidates of science. "Every Dagestani should know about Abakarov and Hajikurbanov, they are worthy representatives of this high-mountain village and Tsovkra ensemble is its business card," he stressed. Speaking about skills of artists, deputy permanent representative of Dagestan under the Russian president said: "These people have revolutionized circus arts. Their names are on par with artists from such famous dynasties as Durov, Kio, Filatov, Bagdasarov, Kantemirov and are forever inscribed in the great history of the Soviet circus."
The audience welcomed each performer on stage, when they shared their memories of fearless art of Tsovkra tightrope walkers and their uneasy but bright circus life. Each presented video material was received applause. Concert part of the evemimg had the same mood. There were spectacular circus numbers as well as national music and dances performances. Honored Artist of Dagestan Rashid Bagataev came to honor the memory of his world-famous compatriots. The evening ended with a spectacular circus act with daggers, performed by fifth-generation tightrope walker, frequent guest of prestigious events of Moscow and world's largest cities Rasul Abakarov.
History of Tsovkra group
Rabadan Abakarov (1917-1995) and Yaragi Hajikurbanov (1917 - 1997) were born in Dagestan's Tsovkra-1 aul, which has been known since ancient times for its tightrope walkers - Pahlivans. In 1935, after successful performance of Tsovkra residents at the Folk Art Olympiade in Makhachkala, they were invited to the Kiev Circus School, where they formed Tsovkra circus national group.
Performances of Dagestani tightrope walkers in the Kiev Circus had huge success, each act received applause. In addition to performing most complicated acrobatic elements, they managed to dance on the rope, performing national lezginka. Their popularity grew day after day.
In 1939, Tsovkra group was invited to perform in the capital in honor of the opening of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, where masters of circus art from all over the country participated. An unforgettable risky attraction of Dagestani Pahlivans is included in anniversary program of the Moscow Circus.
During the war the group continues to work hard, performing in military units, hospitals, field garrisons in order to raise morale of soldiers. During this time they had over 650 performances.
During post-war years tightrope walkers became members of the country's strongest collective, the Moscow Circus, where they were invited to work. Soon, triumphal tours around the world began. Audiences in more than 30 foreign countries in Europe, America and Asia received them really well.
In 1968 Tsovkra collective was awarded the title of "Honored Collective". In total, famous circus ensemble received eight government awards, while Rabadan Abakarov and Yaragi Hajikurbanov were awarded the titles of People's Artists of Dagestan and the RSFSR.
Throughout their creative activity, tightrope walkers of Tsovkra troupe gave more than 20 thousand performances at various circus venues and stadiums.
Rabadan Abakarov and Yaragi Hajikurbanov trained a lot of remarkable performers and tightrope walkers, many of whom were awarded the titles of Honored Artists of Dagestan and Russia. Their names are known all over the world, including Magomed Magomedov, Rasul Agayev, his daughter Asiyat Agayeva, Kurban Mejidov, Ahmed Abakarov and Shamkhal Abakarov.
Yaragi Hajikurbanov seven daughters, Jaryat, Elmir, Aishat, Almaz, Zuleikhat, Fatima and Izumrud, are also very famous. They became well-known and popular artists of Dagestani ASSR. In the beggining they performed together with their famous father, and then independently with other artists.
New generations of Tsovkra vollage don't forget about the skills of their ancestors. This village has the only tightrope walking school in the republic. During summer it hosts Dagestan's festival of tightrope walking named, which is often attended by circus performers from all over the Caucasus. Ancient art is preserved thanks to them.
