History
Vilnius Jewish art groups, celebrating the revival of their nation’s artistic creation since December 27, 1956, when the first Jewish dance group was formed, were the only spiritual counterweight to the Jewish nation in Lithuania.
The first performances and concerts brought to life the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish nation. The self-expression of national art has matured the need to form independent art collectives.
1971 Jakov Magid founded the vocal instrumental ensemble Fajerlech. 1972 The main nucleus of musicians’ enthusiasts was formed, a group of dancers joined the ensemble, and the first concert took place.
The group of dancers soon took strong positions alongside instrumentalists and vocalists.
The long-term experience of the Jewish nation expressed by the performers of the ensemble, reflecting wit, harmony, temperament and inner culture, caused a general admiration of the connoisseurs.
The first organizers, directors and performers of Fajerlech were such talented people as J. Magid, G. Kravec, V. Gluškov, F. Kac, M. Rabkin, L. Šapyra, S.Libenstein, I.Manžuckas, I.Janovec, S.Kuras, S.German, A.Traubas, B.Kirzneris, G.Libenštein, M.Levit, R.Kac, A.Gluškova, A.Krupas, A.Kravec. They laid a solid foundation for the ensemble, the foundations of Jewish artistic creation, which helped to develop many talented performers who later became professionals, leaders of other art groups.
V. Gluškovas – composer and conductor, harmonized many Jewish folk songs, created unforgettable musical compositions. Lithuanian ballet master B. Kelbauskas, talented pedagogue R. Svisčiova, N. Margolinas, their students A. Gluškova and A. Kravec also dedicated all their creative energy potential to the ensemble. A. Kravec, M. Goldman. A. Trac, V. Talienė, V. Perlin, A. Kovarski, Z. Esterzon, B. Perelskaya, N. Sichinskaya, I. Shcheglova, A. Lancman, M. Calas, R. Varshavskaya, O. Ziskinder, L. Dubrovskaya, M. Dushkin, L. Ritvas, Ch. Kabas, conference Ž. Rivina, with her expressive performances on stage, remained in the audience’s memory forever. The ensemble is connected by a long-term, fruitful creative collaboration with the composer V.Terleckas. At his initiative, the ensemble toured in Moscow, and the company “Melodija” released two records “
The ensemble’s concert programs were characterized by integrity, natural live playfulness, stage culture – they were enjoyed by Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Poland, Israel, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
1982 the children’s dance studio of the ensemble was founded (directed by A. Gluškova and A. Kravec), but existed only for 5 years, the then government of the Trade Union Chamber did not allow them to enter the stage …
1989 In Macabia, Israel, the ensemble “Fajerlech” together with the sports society “Maccabi” represented Lithuania.
1990-1991 participated in a dance festival in Karmieli (Israel).
1990-1991 Eurasian Maccabees Clubs, Canadian company Rosiceil Importing Co. Inc. Two Hanukkah festivals took place at the initiative of Fajerlech.
In 1990, 1991 and 1993, with the support of the Israel Dance Institute (London), the ensemble leaders organized Jewish dance seminars in which choreographers from many countries studied Jewish dance.
1990 pr. .. the children’s studio of the ensemble was restored, which raised the shift-noble performers became full participants in the main programs.Some of them dance in the ensemble to this day – Elina Mesengiser, Dina Janovskąja, Ieva Vyšniauskaitė.
Most of the former performers and directors went to live in other parts of the world. went to the United States Ana Kravec, the ensemble’s perennial ensemble leader and director.
Larisa Vyšniauskienė became the artistic director of the ensemble. Since then, participants of different ages have been successfully working in the ensemble. The adult and youth vocal group is led by soloist Mikhail Jablonski, and Fajerlech veterans Marina Škliar and Leonard Zenkevič have been singing for many years.
The main dance group is led by the talented choreographer Arikas Krupas. Choreographer of youth and children’s groups – Jelizaveta Volynskaja. N.Sičinskaja has been working in the ensemble for many years.
Twice, the ensemble’s youth became winners of festivals in Poland and Germany.
2001 In March, the ensemble Fajerlech celebrated Purim together with the Jewish community of Riga.
1998, 2002, 2003, 2004 – The ensemble participated in the International Festival of Jewish Children and Youth Creativity in Moscow, where it became the winner of the competition among many groups from around the world.
For the past few years, the ensemble has visited the remote town of Leeds, England. He has performed extensively in various Jewish communities in England.
In addition to the ensemble “Fajerlech”, the Klezmer Festival in Finland did not pass at the Helsinki Klezmer Festival 2003. There, during the final concert, the ensemble performed on the stage of the famous theater “Savoj”.
2004 During the Litvakai Congress (Lithuania), the ensemble participated in the closing concert of the congress, together with famous opera soloists – V. Noreika, A. Prudnikov and others.
2004 September. – The inhabitants of Marijampolė and Klaipėda region could also enjoy the Jewish song and dance ensemble during the “European Heritage Days”.
Also, not a lot of Lithuanian national minority festivals take place without our ensemble. Although the leaders and participants have changed since the ensemble was founded in 33 years, the spirit of Fajerlech has remained. All the same goals bind us to the past, to nurture Jewish art, to preserve traditions and pass them on to future generations.
