USSR Gala Display 1991 Gymnaestrada - videos

Vladimir Zaglada has now uploaded to Youtube a complete set of videos of this historic event, featuring 1980 Olympic Team Champion Elena Naimushina and 1981 World Floor Champion Natalia Ilienko..  In total, the seven videos last over one hour.  The Display is distinguished for the quality of the choreography, and serves as a great reminder of the artistic charisma of the Soviet Union.  Vladimir, one of the organisers, here provides a detailed commentary.

 Part 1

This is the only existing record of USSR Gala Display at World Gymnaestrada,1991 in Amsterdam (Netherlands). I got this DVD as a gift from American photojournalist Debbie Poe. For a long time I didn't upload it on YouTube. But I think it is right time to introduce this USSR Gala Concert for the World of Gymnastics. This Part is Prologue "People and Nature".





Part 2

I was a General Producer of this show, and announcer of the concert.  All choreography and dance, plus ideas for the costume design and more for the whole programme was made by Elena Kapitonova.  From my point of view she is the one of the best choreographers in the world.  Sport Aerobics Show was made by "Mother" of Russian Aerobic Gymnastics, Tatiana Lisitskaya.  All groups of acrobatic gymnastics were prepared by legendary member of the Tishler’s Brothers group, Vladimir Motuzenko.




Part 3

The key role for the Gala Display played by "Mikhail Voronin Show" which included former World and Olympic Champions, best “events specialists" and talented young gymnasts from "Dynamo Moscow School of Gymnastics".  One of participants of the show was Dmitri Voronin (Voronin's son). More detailed information, particularly, about Voronin show you will soon find at Russian site "Independent Gymnastics".





Part 4

Please visit my website and find the special paragraph in my book “One Coach’s Journey from East to West: How the Fall of the Iron Curtain Changed the World of Gymnastics”, pp 31 and 32.  I would like to point out that this USSR Gala Display in July 1991 became the last Soviet Gymnastics Gala in the History of Gymnaestrada. Enjoy your time watching an amazing USSR Gala Display -1991!





Part 5

Of course, you know this part of the USSR Gala Display. It was uploaded on YouTube a couple of years ago by MizMammie. Yes, it was Natalia Ilienko and Elena Naimushina!  This non-stop show is followed by an amazing acrobatic men's duet and mixed duet prepared by Vladimir Motuzenko. Enjoy USSR Gala Display by watching Tatiana Arzannikova's Gypsy Dance. Two more parts to come ... I hope you will like it!



Part 6

All aerobic show was prepared by Tatiana Lisitskaya.  The aerobic show dance was an intermediate part of the whole Gala Display. The audience attending this show was so happy to see Soviet Aerobic Gymnastics. Of course, you will recognize the amazing floor exercise performer - Natalia Ilienko.  Very young gymnast Natalia Trauzova was dancing together with her.  You will like Estonian Dance group followed by very spectacular dance of the World and Olympic Champions.




Part 7

Thanks to all who have watched this historical video of USSR Gymnastics Gala Display in Amsterdam -1991.  I will be so happy if you can visit Russian site "Independent Gymnastics" and read the special article I wrote about Mikhail Voronin and "Dynamo" projects.  It was a great time more than twenty years ago, before the collapse of the USSR.  My best wishes to all.  Producer and Art Director of the USSR Gala Display, Vladimir Zaglada, Coach VladZ!




I am sure we would all like to offer a very big thank you to Vladimir for uploading these videos and for writing the commentary. Do take time to view and enjoy them - it is especially timely to revise this part of history, as the Olympics are almost upon us.