With their spirited dancing movements, members of the Miras Song and Dance Ensemble from the Republic of Bashkortostan – oneof the largest republics of the Russian Federation, mesmerised visitors at the 18^th edition of Sharjah Heritage Days (SHD), with a series of professionally choreographed dances rooted in their folk culture.

The ‘warrior dance’ saw men in velvet jackets and fur caps stomp their feet in an energetic performance while the women, dressed in long flouncy dresses and decked in gorgeous silver jewellery, tapped their heels and they gently swirled to the rhythm of the live orchestra.

The dance, which reveals the soul and passion of the Bashkir peoples, is inspired by the daily life of the people who live against the backdrop of the Ural Mountains in a land of rich, natural beauty characterised byvast steppes, clear rivers, and lakes.

Organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), the Sharjah Heritage Days concludes at the Heart of Sharjah on April 10 and at the Khorfakkan heritage area on April 03. The event is open to visitors from 4–10pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends.

The cultural festival also features plenty of other vibrant folk performances from the UAE, Macedonia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Montenegro, amongst others.