Choreographer Mirzaada Kalikova preserves forgotten Kyrgyz ethnic dances

Choreographer Mirzaada Kalikova founded the Ak Bata dance studio in Kyrgyzstan to preserve and perform traditional ethnic dances.

She began her career in the Naryn region, where she studied music and worked as a television reporter before focusing on dance. Kalikova uses her background in philology and sports gymnastics to shape her artistic approach. Since opening her studio in 2012, Kalikova has trained hundreds of dancers over 14 years.

She has researched more than 80 forgotten Kyrgyz ethnic dances, including specific shamanic styles such as Shaman Ayan, Shaman Dobulbas, and Syngan Biy. Currently, more than 40 girls aged 6 and older participate in her group performances. Kalikova has led her troupe to international recognition. Her team won a grand prize for a shamanic dance, earning an opportunity to perform in India at Parkul University. She also won a competition in Cholpon-Ata, which secured a performance in Greece for 2027.

Additionally, she participated in a 500-kilometer parade where she carried the flag of Kyrgyzstan as a leader among 30 countries.