Christmas around the World

PROVO — Celebrating the light that emanates from all cultures around the world during the holiday season, Brigham Young University's International Folk Dance Ensemble will present its annual "Christmas Around the World" Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3.

The concert will begin with more than 200 performers, dressed in different traditional clothing from around the world, filling the stage and singing "Sto Mi E Milo," a folk song depicting everyday life in Macedonia, that is a favorite of the BYU dancers.

Ed Austin, artistic director, said the opening number is designed to help the audience feel the spirit of the world's diverse cultures.

"As we present these cultures, we're not just dancing," Austin said. "We are representing these people from all over the world and the light we see in them and portraying it to the audience."

The concert is ultimately a celebration of culture during this important time of year when many hearts and minds turn to Christ.

"Light has such an important meaning for those of us who celebrate the birth of the Savior," Austin added. "He is the light of the world."

With new choreography featuring the traditions of Romania, Russia, India and Ukraine, the ensemble will also welcome more than 100 Samoan young adults, directed by Fili and Pania Sagapolutele, who will perform traditional and fire-knife dances.

Along with the new choreography, the ensemble will also entertain audiences with many favorites from Ireland, Lithuania, Mexico, Hungary, Puerto Rico, Ukraine and the United States.

As part of the bicentennial celebration of the Prophet Joseph Smith's birth, the group will pay tribute to him by representing the light he brought back into the world.

The first of all BYU performing groups to travel abroad, the International Folk Dance Ensemble will tour Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Quebec this spring, as well as participate in a prestigious folk dance festival in Montreal.

If you go

What: "Christmas Around the World" folk dance event

Where: Brigham Young University Marriott Center, Provo

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, with matinee 2 p.m. Saturday

How much: $10 evenings, $8 matinee

Phone: 422-BYU1

Web: www.BYUtickets.com