Dans som Kulturell Bro (1997-1998)

The start of the third dance project in Narvik kommunale musikkskole, Dans som kulturell bro, was 1^st August 1997 and ran until 31st December 1998. The main aim of the project was to create a series of choreographies to be performed as part of the promotion of Narvik city at FINN in Harstad in 1998 (Markeringsdistrikt).

The second aim was to strengthen cultural understanding between Russia and Norway. A ballet teacher from Narvik’s friendship city, Kingisepp was invited to move to Narvik and prepare dancers to perform in Harstad. Narvik kommunale musikkskole (Narvikmusikken) administered the project, which followed up an earlier cultural exchange project between Kingisepp and Narvik in September 1996.

July 1997, a small delegation, consisting of Jan Claussen, kultursjef, Sigfred Olsen, principal of the music school and Fiona Jane Ellingsen, kulturkonsulent/dance teacher from Narvik kulturkontor/Narvikmusikken, travelled to Kingisepp in Russia, to discuss the project. The newspaper Fremover reported that,

Narvik har på tross av lange tradisjoner, ingen offentlig organiserte tilbud i dans/ballett, mens utøvelse av kunst og kultur er høyt prioritert I vår russiske vennskapsby.

Merethe Steine, Ofotens tidende 30.05.1997 “Russisk danse-pedagog til Narvik”

Here the journalist pointed out that despite the long tradition of dance instruction in Narvik, there was still no council-run dance school, in comparison to Narvik’s Russian friendship city, Kingisepp, where it was a top priority.

The project received 65,000 NOK from Leningrad Kontor in Nordland Fylkeskommune. Together with pupils fees, state grants and a small contribution from Narvik council, dance instruction commenced on the 15th of September 1997. In keeping with the general unwillingness of the council to finance dance instruction, it provided only 10 percent of a total budget of 300,000 NOK.

Fiona Jane Ellingsen was employed as a project leader in a fifty percent position consisting of the administration of the day-to-day activities of the dance school, and the preparation for the establishment of dance as a permanent part of Narvik musikkskole (Narvikmusikken).

A ballet teacher from Kingisepp, Marina Tarasova, was employed full time to run the classical ballet classes. Dance instruction was at the aerobic studio at Narvikhallen, and in the speilsal at Folkets Hus. Pupils were from 4-15 and spread over four classes; pre-primary (barneballett), primary and intermediate classical ballet; and jazz for pupils over 13 years. After only three months there were ninety five pupils in the school and Marina and Fiona staged their first student recital in on Monday 30th November at Folkets Hus.

The dancers received an excellent review, especially the Russian students from HiN who danced a well choreographed number with umbrellas called “På tur”. The youngest class, danced an entertaining number “Du og Jeg” and the jazz ballet classes, a number to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and a tap dance to “Cabaret”.

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Marina Tarasova (b.1960 – )

Marina commenced her education in dance in 1979. She was educated at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Leningrad (St Petersburg). She studied choreography at Leningrad State Choreographic Institute. Graduates of the school include some of the most famous ballet dancers, choreographers and teachers in history and many of the world’s leading ballet schools have adopted elements of the Vaganova method into their own training.

Before coming to Narvik she worked as artistic leader and ballet teacher at Kingisepp Folkets Hus. She has created many choreographies such as “Russiske Breder” and “Russisk Messe” and was the head choreograph and artistic producer for all productions and cultural arrangements in Kingisepp from X-X. In 1993 her school in aesthetic dance was awarded a prize for excellence.

Marina said when she arrived in Narvik that, “it was rather a cultural shock to come to here, because there was so little culture, compared to Kingisepp.” And continued, “there was, however, a lot of potential and the students were very keen to learn.” (Ofotens Tidende 27.10.1997 S15) Marina’s husband also moved to live in Narvik. Marina was not unfamiliar with Norway having toured with a Russian Folk Dance Troupe in the late 1980’s.

The original pioneer of dance education in Narvik, Henry Haagensen, was still alive at this point in time, and in conversations with him, he expressed great pleasure that dance had come on an equal footing with music and song instruction in the community school. However, dance was not yet a permanent part of Narvik kommunale musikkskole.

Featured Photo

Dancers in Narvik kommunale musikkskolens “Danseforestilling” Monday 30th November, 19:00, Speilsalen, Folkets Hus Narvik

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