Lazgi – the dance of soul and love
Every country has its cultural heritage that demonstrates its status on a global level. The dance "Lazgi" included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is one such national treasure.
Lazgi is a key form of self-expression for the people of the Khorezm region. This dance is passed down from generation to generation with the creation of new versions of it. The melody and movements are so captivating and natural that the body unconsciously begins to move to the music’s rhythm.
Khorezm, the oldest center of civilization in Central Asia and one of the largest regions in Uzbekistan today, has always boasted a unique and distinctive culture and art, thanks to its population of both settled and nomadic tribes. This uniqueness is especially evident in one of the oldest dances of the Uzbek people, the “dance of soul and love” – Lazgi.
Lazgi is a key form of self-expression for the people of the Khorezm region. This dance is passed down from generation to generation with the creation of new versions of it. The melody and movements are so captivating and natural that the body unconsciously begins to move to the music’s rhythm.
It is believed that the ancient word “lazgi” means “to tremble,” which is expressed in the dance’s very energetic body movements, resembling trembling or shaking. The dance begins with slow and simple movements—first involving the fingers and wrists, then the shoulders, and finally, the whole body comes alive. These “tremblings” are accompanied by musical rhythms and facial expressions.
There is a legend that Lazgi symbolizes the process of reviving the human body. The soul enters it, and it comes to life. But life is love. This philosophical idea forms the basis of the ballet “Lazgi – The Dance of Soul and Love,” professionally brought to the stage of the Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre by German choreographer Raimondo Rebeck, a leader of NRW Juniorballet Dortmund. This performance was first presented to the Tashkent audience in 2021.
During the performance, the stage transforms into a museum where the precious artifact preserved under glass is the Lazgi dance. Raimondo Rebeck masterfully treated this historical heritage, combining elements of contemporary ballet with the classic components of the dance. The music for the production was composed by Davidson Jaconello, and the stunning lighting effects and decorations were created by Japanese multimedia artist Yoko Seyama.
The festival is highly popular among traditional choreographic art enthusiasts and biannually gathers guests from all over the world.
On May 31 and June 1, the stage of the Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre, with the support of the Uzbekistan Development and Culture Fund, came to life again, presenting the spectacular ballet performance “Lazgi. The Dance of Soul and Love.”
The beauty and uniqueness of the ancient Lazgi dance unite people, maintaining the connection between generations!
Being a model of genuine art, the Khorezm dance managed to bring together participants from 33 countries at the II International “Lazgi” Festival, held in April 2024 in Khiva, the capital city of Khorezm. The festival is a great success among the admirers of traditional choreographic art and every two years it gathers guests from all over the world.
