Vladimir Kurbet Moldavian and Soviet ballet master and choreographer Date of Birth: 05.12.1930

1. Early Life and Passion for Dance
2. Artistic Beginnings
3. Choreographic Visionary
4. Notable Choreographies
5. International Acclaim
6. Folklorist and Scholar
7. Legacy and Honors

Early Life and Passion for Dance

Born on December 5, 1930 (or September 19, 1929, according to some sources) in the village of Susleni, Moldova, Vladimir Kurbet was raised in a musical environment. His stepfather, the trumpet player and orchestra leader Koźma Kurbet, instilled in him a love for traditional folk songs and dances.

Artistic Beginnings

From 1949 to 1953, Kurbet directed an amateur dance troupe at the Susleni District House of Culture. He subsequently led the folk dance ensemble in the village of Karagash from 1953 to 1957. In 1966, he graduated from the Ștefan Neaga Music College in Chișinău.

Choreographic Visionary

In 1957, Kurbet joined the Moldovan National Academic Ensemble of Folk Dance "Joc" as a choreographer-reпетиtor. In 1958, he was appointed artistic director and chief choreographer, a position he held until his passing. During his tenure, he created eight concert programs, featuring over 80 dances that showcased the rich heritage of Moldovan folklore.

Notable Choreographies

Among Kurbet's most renowned choreographies are "The Dance of the Blacksmiths," "Sârba," "Brâul," "Bătuta," "Molodețca," "Haiduck's Dance," "Girls' Hora," "Mărunțica," "Crăițele," "Moldoveneasca," "Țărăneasca," "Răzeșeașca," "Hora Mare," "Călușarii," "Vioara," and the musical-choreographic poem "Drăgaica." He also crafted choreographic suites such as "Bukuria," "The Legend of Mărțișor," "Doina," "Miorița," "Moldovan Wedding," "Carpathians," and duets like "At the Spring" and "In the Vineyard."

International Acclaim

With the "Joc" ensemble, Kurbet toured extensively, performing in over 70 countries, including Russia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Brazil, Austria, Egypt, Italy, France, Canada, Portugal, Romania, Germany, China, India, Ukraine, Spain, Australia, Greece, and Turkey. He also choreographed performances for the play "Birds of Our Youth" at the Maly Theatre in Moscow, and films such as "Her Majesty - Hora," "Red Glades," and "Wedding in Malinovka."

Folklorist and Scholar

Beyond his choreographic prowess, Kurbet was a renowned collector of Moldovan folklore, amassing over 6,000 folk songs and dance melodies. He studied and documented the origins, history, and performance styles of Moldovan folk dances. His writings and publications, such as "On the Homeland of the Hora," "Guardians of Folk Art," "I Find Solace in Song," "How We Dance Here," and "At the Entrance to the Treasure Cave," contribute significantly to the preservation and understanding of Moldovan traditions.

Legacy and Honors

Vladimir Kurbet passed away on December 8, 2017, in Chișinău. He was a member of the CPSU from 1973. In recognition of his outstanding artistic contributions, he was bestowed with numerous awards and honors, including the title of People's Artist of the Moldavian SSR (1967), People's Artist of the USSR (1981), the State Prize of the USSR (1972), the National Prize of Moldova (2012), the Order of the Republic (Moldova), and the "Bogdan the Founder" Order.