Charity children’s festival “Alina” was held in “Sirius”

The winners were all, without exception, participants in the legendary charity festival “Alina”, which took place on the federal territory of “Sirius”. Exactly following the motto of friendship, it united the famous stars of rhythmic gymnastics and those who are just taking their first steps in the sport. The holiday, which appeared thanks to Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva, also gave its recent spectators the opportunity to perform. Why they deserved especially warm applause and what is the secret of the festival being held unprecedentedly early, the observer will tell “Izvestia” Alexander Mostoslavsky.

“Dear friends, I am glad to welcome you to our international rhythmic gymnastics festival. Today we have guests from all over the world.”– said Olympic champion, head of the charitable foundation Alina Kabaeva.

More than 350 participants from 14 countries – Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Guatemala, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Congo, Cuba, Mexico, Serbia, Uzbekistan and Russia came to the XIII International Children’s Charity Rhythmic Gymnastics Festival “Alina”.

This year the festival is dedicated to the friendship of peoples and mutual understanding between people, and its motto is “We are all different, but we are together!” The original numbers of this festival of beauty and sports are dedicated to the diversity of cultures of the peoples of the world.

16 little Shaolin kung fu virtuosos from China perform in the same room with students from the St. Petersburg rhythmic gymnastics center “Pearl”. The director of this composition is Elena Afanasyeva.

“We are creating such a very beautiful number. Feminine and masculine. If boys are very powerful, strong, active defenders, then girls are very gentle, beautiful”noted the choreographer, master of sports of the USSR Elena Afanasyeva.

The international charity children’s rhythmic gymnastics festival “Alina” started earlier than ever this year. Instead of the traditional May, it was moved to the beginning of March. How could it be otherwise, because exactly these days in Sochi, on the federal territory of Sirius, the World Youth Festival is taking place, the highlight of the program and an integral part of which is the Alina festival. Thousands of people from all over the world who came to Sochi for the youth forum were able to see a unique gymnastics show.

“You know, we are simply for the idea and for the love of this sport. It’s great that when there is sport and art, you know, they are inseparable: sport and art, they unite people. And with this holiday, our festival, we showed that There are no boundaries, you know, neither sports nor art. And it is impossible to prohibit it. We don’t prove anything to anyone. We just love what we do, what we do.”said Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics, head of the charitable foundation Alina Kabaeva.

Traditionally, everything is free for participants of the Alina festival: accommodation, meals, training, costumes and travel expenses – at the expense of the Alina Kabaeva charitable foundation.

Russia’s world leadership in rhythmic gymnastics is not only victories, medals and pedestals. First of all, this is invaluable experience, skills and techniques that our coaches and athletes generously share with everyone. A striking example of this is the beginning gymnasts from Congo, who are taking part in the Alina festival this year.

The athletes from Congo prepared for this first performance in their lives for a whole month in Sochi. We learned the basics of rhythmic gymnastics under the guidance of Russian coaches of the International Academy of Rhythmic Gymnastics “Heavenly Grace” Alina Kabaeva.

“We were received very well here, just like queens. They help us with everything. The food here is very tasty. But most importantly, this is a very good school for athletes.”,” noted gymnast from Congo Nzussi Talda Ruth.

The results of Congolese athletes are impressive. Almost from scratch, they organically fit into the palette of the “Latin American” act, becoming a decoration of the current festival.

“I have a dream to become a big champion. First, in my country, and then, perhaps, in Africa. And of course, I would like to go to the Olympic Games someday,” – Congolese gymnast Malanda Messi admitted.

“The Academy of Rhythmic Gymnastics is a real sports paradise, a paradise for gymnasts. Participation in this festival for us means friendship between all peoples, primarily the African continent – with Russia. Russia is like an older relative for us”said the technical director of the Congo rhythmic gymnastics team, coach Armel Colombo.

This year Russian rhythmic gymnastics celebrates its 90th anniversary. In the performance of the famous choreographer Irina Zenovka, there was a place for the ancient Greek origins of this sport and the image of the legendary Isadora Duncan flashed and, of course, the most complex elements of modern rhythmic gymnastics were demonstrated.

“The festival gives me a lot of opportunities for creativity. I am realizing my dreams on this project”,” noted the Honored Coach of Russia, choreographer and director of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team, Irina Zenovka.

Averina’s sisters, Daria Trubnikova, Ekaterina Selezneva, Elizaveta Zorkina and Anastasia Salos. In the finale of this unique performance, several of the strongest gymnasts of our time meet on the same mat. Even the World Championships and Olympic Games never dreamed of this. By the way, this composition is also notable for the fact that the legendary Dina and Arina Averina appeared in public for the first time after they officially announced that they were leaving big sport.

“A new stage in our lives is coming”,” noted five-time world champion in rhythmic gymnastics Arina Averina.

“Life outside the mat is even better, it is more interesting and, I hope, it will probably be just as difficult, fun and challenging.”said Olympic silver medalist, multiple world champion in rhythmic gymnastics Dina Averina.

And little athletes with special needs captivated all participants and spectators of the festival with their sincerity, openness and friendliness. They literally glow with emotion as they perform on the gymnastics mat, charging everyone present with positive energy.

“I perform very beautifully. I will pull my toes and feet and will do well. And I can even show my heart. I love you all too”said gymnast from Kazan Safina Shaigardanova.

These guys from Kazan were spectators at the Alina festival at the international academy “Heavenly Grace” last year, and then became participants in sports and charity gatherings, where they received an invitation from Olympic champion Alina Kabaeva to perform at the current festival.

“After we visited here, our lives really changed, because we realized that we are not just children with special health needs. We realized that our children are just children with increased needs.”,” noted Lira Tazetdinova from the “Be Yourself” center for inclusive projects.

Famous artists also became guests and participants of the Alina International Festival this year. Polina Gagarina, Natalya Podolskaya, Ruslan Alekhno, Ragda Khanieva and Larisa Dolina performed on the same mat with young athletes.

“In general, I really love performing in such events with athletes. And even more so when it comes to children. During these three minutes that I stood on stage, I was simply torn apart from the inside, because I could not keep track of the girls, the way they move. The atmosphere is so warm and heartfelt”said People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Larisa Dolina.

Students of the international academy “Heavenly Grace” Alina Kabaeva also shone at the current festival. They took part in many productions. Choreographers note their excellent athletic training and receptivity to any creative tasks.

“The Alina festival is a very large-scale project. The atmosphere is very good. A lot of girls and coaches came here”said Eva Chugunova, a student of the International Academy of Rhythmic Gymnastics “Heavenly Grace” of Alina Kabaeva.

The International Children’s Charity Rhythmic Gymnastics Festival “Alina” held in Sochi does not end. In just a few days, this holiday of beauty and sports will take place in the capital of Belarus. Viewers of the Minsk show will find a lot of new, interesting, bright and unexpected things.