Krasnaya Gvozdika Choir
The “Krasnaya Gvozdika”, (“Red Carnation”), choir of Second World War and Labour Veterans as established in 1987 in Frunze Officers’ House by members of the veterans’ concert group, “Go time!”, which consisted of10 people and was headed by the honoured artist of Kyrgyz Republic, veteran of Baltic front, Valerii Shakhov.
This name “Red Carnation” was chosen to symbolize firm spirits rigidity and durable character.
Their repertoire included patriotic songs of the war period, lyrical and urban songs, romantic melodies, and songs based on the verses of famous poets. One of the new recruits to the choir, (a former head of Officers’ House, Lazar Aizenshtat), became the main soloist, with an excellent baritone voice. He also turned out to be great manager, as well. Together with Shakhov, and others, he created an unrivalled, (“no-substitute”), chorus for all events in the capital. They even took second place in the “Second All-Union Festival of Wartime Patriotic Songs”, in 1987, against competition from all over the former Soviet Union.
During the period of Perestroika, however, the choir went through hard times, and it only managed to survive thanks to the efforts of its artistic director, Kamil Serazetdinov and the Head of the Choir, Y. N. Jurbina, (nephew of the Red Army General Mikhail Vasilievich Frunze, after whom the city was named).
In 2000 the chorus performed for a special commission that consisted of famous artistic figures of Kyrgyzstan.
It was the first choir in the city to receive highly honoured title of “People’s Amateur Chorus”, and has gone on to wins this title every three years.
The Bishkek Municipality has taken this chorus under its patronage and provide two members of staff – the artistic director and concertmaster.
Elvira Plotnikova currently serves as the Head of the Choir, a position she has held since 1996, and she also serves as the master of ceremonies of all concerts.
Between October 2001 and June 2003, the local TV station KOORT TV hosted a series of programs prepared by Serazetdinov and Plotnokova.for veterans of war and labour under the title “Red Carnation”.
For its enormous work of patriotic and internationalism propaganda and of keeping songs inheritance of Kyrgyzstan, war and labor veterans chorus “Red Carnation” was awarded with Honored certificates and prizes from Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Culture and Education and certificates and diplomas from other public organizations.
The choir’s mooto motto is taken from one of the songs it performs “Songs helps us to build and to live”.
Concerts
The Krasnaya Gvozdika choir performs in up to 25 concerts a year, which due to warm compliments of audience are counted as a great success. They are mainly thematic concerts, celebrating memorial dates and events and take place throughout the Chi oblast, (in Tokmok, Novopokrovka, Nijne-Serafimovka, Novopavlovka, Koi-Tash … and elsewhere, as well as, of course, in Bishkek). It is well-known in military units of Kyrgyz Republic such as border outposts, universities and high-schools, orphanages, homes for the elderly and homes for the disabled
Every year the choir performs for Victory Day celebration and on the International Day for Elderly. Its repertoire still includes patriotic songs of the war period, people’s songs, lyrical songs, romances, poems and prose. Songs are performed in Russian, Kyrgyz and Ukrainian languages.
Festivals
In 2000 chorus initiated the “Krasnaya Gvozdika” festival-competition for artistic performances by war and labour veterans from Bishkek and the Chui oblast. It has hosted over 300 group and individual performers during this festival. The choir has also participated in other festival of this kind, such as: “Singing voices of Kyrgyzstan”, “Lovely, brethren, lovely!”, “Ukranian dance and song in the land of Manas”, “Yrdai Kyrgyz yrlaryn”, “Good news”, where it regularly takes leading prizes.
Bishkek