Funerals of departed Moldovan ballet master held today

Chisinau, 13 December /MOLDPRES/ - The funerals of ballet master, People’s Artist of Moldova, People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, holder of the Order of the Republic Vladimir Curbet took place with military honours today. The world famous artist, who led the National Academic State Ensemble Joc for decades, died at the age of 87.   

Hundreds of artists and admirers came to the mourning rally at the Nicolae Sulac National Palace, to bring a last homage to the master. At the same time, dancers of the Joc ensemble wore black headkerchiefes as a token of gratitude.   

In his speech, Deputy Parliament Speaker Vladimir Vitiuc said that Vladimir Curbet had managed to re-bring the dance among people and to steal their hearts. “Thanks to the master, the folk dance has become a visiting card of our country abroad,” Vitiuc noted.   

Education, Culture and Research Minister Monica Babuc said that, coming from the Susleni village, the great master had been guided by the providence to bring us again the image of the folk dance, which represents the philosophy of the people. “A Vladimir Curbet had to be born, who was to tell us what is our national dance,” Monica Babuc stressed. The official thanked all dancers and musicians, together with whom Vladimir Curbet created Joc, which he bequeathed us.     

„Vladimir Curbet is one of the greatest choreographers of the world; he is a name of legend. The Joc ensemble, which he led for 60 years, is the artistic expression of Moldova. He left us an inestimable cultural heritage, which we will keep piously. We, the ones from Joc, will continue the traditional school of master Vladimir Curbet and will do our utmost for this ensemble to be in continuation the highest expression of Moldova’s culture,” the present director general of the National Academic State Ensemble Joc, Aliona Strambeanu, said.   

Vladimir Curbet was born in the Susleni village, Orhei county, on 5 December 1930. In 1966, Curbet finished the Musical School (now Musical College) Stefan Neaga. Vladimir Curbet was the head of the dances and brass band from the Susleni village (1949-1953); he led the band of folk dances from Caragas village, Slobozia district in 1953-1957. In 1957, Vladimir Curbet was appointed pedagogue and preparator and in 1958 – artistic director and first ballet master  of the Ensemble, afterwards named National Academic State Folk Dance Ensemble Joc.

In 1969, Curbet founded a choreographic studio at the Joc Ensemble, bringing his contribution also to the sector of pedagogy. In 1976, he re-established the choreography school at the Stefan Neaga Musical School, where he taught the folk dance during five years. Vladimir Curbet insisted on the opening of the national choreography department at the Arts Institute, where he taught the folk dance during four years.    

Ballet master Vladimir Curbet performed 10,000 shows in over 70 countries with the Joc Ensemble. Vladimir Curbet researched and turned to good account traditions, customs, dances, music and national costumes. He collected more than 3,500 songs, doinas, ballads from all folklore genres. In 2013, Vladimir Curbet was awarded the highest distinction of the World International Property Organization – Gold Medal for Creativity.

Vladimir Curbet was buried at the Central Orthodox Cemetery on the Armeneasca Street in Chisinau.

(Reporter N. Roibu, editor L. Alcaza)