A unique collaboration between music, choreography, and shadow theater, entirely created by students without the aid of artificial intelligence, will premiere on February 27th at the Kalmyk State Philharmonic Hall named after A.N. Manzhiev in Elista. The musical and choreographic concert-spectacle, titled “The Soul of Simple Things,” was announced today at a briefing held by RIA Kalmykia.
Inna Ubushaeva, Deputy Director of Children’s Music School No. 1 named after S.G. Dorzhin, Gereal Badaeva, head of the literary-dramatic department of the B. Basangov National Drama Theater, and Tamara Tsedanova, the spectacle’s set designer, detailed the creative project. The initiative for the production came from Larisa Letuyeva, the school’s director and a Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Kalmykia.
Approximately 300 students are involved in the performance, contributing not only to the on-stage presentation but also to the creation of theatrical props. Students participated in all stages of preparation, from developing concepts and drawing characters to crafting articulated dolls for the shadow theater. They also created sand paintings using light, which will be a key visual element of the production, according to Tsedanova. “The older students performed roles in scenes with ‘live shadows.’ This process allowed them to demonstrate creativity and develop their artistic abilities,” she said.
The program will feature performances by the school’s creative groups and soloists, including the “Harmony” choir, the “Ais” orchestra of Kalmyk folk instruments, the “Mingn Bair” dance ensemble, the “Teegin Ais” folklore ensemble, and the “Concertino” violin ensemble.
The concept for “The Soul of Simple Things” is based on a story of the same name by Gereal Badaeva. The narrative centers on the friendship between a boy who can understand the language of nature and his red foal. It explores themes of resilience, loyalty, and the power of love to restore inner wholeness even after hardship.
Badaeva emphasized the patriotic message of the project, stating that a genuine love for one’s homeland begins with daily effort and dedication. “It’s important to convey the right kind of patriotism to children, one that starts with function and the right messages about love. Not when you perform a single heroic act and your life ends there, but when you perform a feat for your homeland every day, when you work for its benefit every day. That’s what our story is about. And I’m glad the children participated in the whole process. I hope this will be a incredibly important experience for them in the future,” she stated.
Organizers anticipate the performance will resonate with audiences, showcasing the sincerity and handmade creativity of the young performers.