Peter Lukimson, Israel. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
“The Big Caucasus Wedding” is a name of a new show created by Galina Danilova, the head of the Community of Natives of the Caucasus, who live in the Israeli town of Ashdod, and film director Vyacheslav Izyaev. Instead of a traditional concert when artists replace each other on the stage, the audience saw a real Caucasus wedding. According to Caucasus traditions, a bride was met by parents of a groom at the threshold of a house; guests gave presents to the just married; a big wedding table was full of dishes. And of course nobody shouted “Now a kiss!”, as it is not accepted at a real Caucasus wedding.
The color of the performance was emphasized by songs in the Caucasus Jews’ language by Liora Safanova, lively dances by Elbrus Ensemble (headed by Ilana Irmiyahu), music played by Hilma Digilova, Regina Peisah, Ella Yagudayeva, Manuel Isakov, Tomer Aliyev, the Martini Band. Performances by musicians Lazar Nagdemayev, Mark Isakov, Lev Kardashov, and Albert Mikhailov were unforgettable. A role of a toaster was played by a singer, a winner of all-Israeli and international contests, Dmitry Martynov.
“The Big Caucasus Wedding” was staged under support of Ashdod City Hall within the festival of “Olim al A-Gal” which is taking place in the town.
The Big Caucasus Wedding Show is unique because it reproduces wedding customs and traditions of the North Caucasus people in details; and the innovation may be interesting not only for Israel, but also for other countries. In the near future authors of “The Big Caucasus Wedding” intend to present the show in other towns and cities of Israel and later come to the Caucasus – to Russia and probably Georgia and Azerbaijan.
