Resplendent in traditional costumes, the troupe of 18 presented a mix of classical songs and dance styles with more contemporary dance moves paired with modern pop music.

Their various dance numbers were punctuated by solo intermission performances by vocalist Olga Petrova, who delighted the audience with her formidable vocal range, delivering both old and new songs with equal vigour.

Demonstrating their versatility, Yunost, which means “Youth”, ended their display with a unique fusion of dance moves taken from Malay, Chinese and Indian traditional dances including the Dikir Barat.

Hosted at the Help College of Arts and Technology, the dancers, aged 13 to 20, showed off their quick footwork and vocal talents in front of an enthusiastic crowd who cheered each of the groups unique dance routines.

Among the guests of honour were ambassador of the Russian Federation to Malaysia Valery Yermolov, Malaysian tourism ambassador to Russia and CIS countries Nargiz Safarova and Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC) director Ayrat A Akhmetov.

The troupe’s Malaysian tour was supported by the Tourism and Culture Ministry and Tourism Malaysia and sponsored by Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd and YTL Hotels, among others.

Founded in 1974 by Anatoly Sazonov, Yunost aims to identify and nurture talented individuals and to provide a platform for Russian youth in the city of Novo Mosskovsk, near Tula, to channel their creative instincts.

“I thank the Malaysian side for their support of our performance and we are pleased by the reception and interest we have received form our hosts”, Sazanov said.

A follow up performance is scheduled to be held at Universiti Malaya on Sept 25, at 8pm, before the group returns to Russia.