Not too long ago, Muscovites had an opportunity to get acquainted with European modern dance, and now the time has come for Russians to prove to the world the existence of Russian modern dance. Organized by Russian dance theaters, the Tsekh festival is designed to present the very latest and best achievements in the art of modern dance in this country.

Tsekh will take place in the Theater of Nations from Dec. 12-17, featuring 15 troupes from six Russian cities and one from Belarus. Finnish troupe Aurinkobaletti and Dutch troupe Anouk van Dijk will also give guest performances.

"The Tsekh festival is primarily aimed at demonstrating the achievements of Russian dance theaters and stimulating further creative work," Tsekh press secretary Olga Korshakova said. "The festival¨Vs program includes both well-known and experimental productions."

The festival¨Vs more-or-less known participants include the Moscow companies Po.V.S.Tantsy, the Nikolai Ogryzkov School of Modern Dance and the Moscow Chamber Ballet. Last year, they appeared in the Trayektoriya modern dance festival and, earlier this year, they performed in the Golden Mask theater festival.