Eurofolk 2006 – participants

SZEREMLE FOLK DANCE GROUP – HUNGARY

The first dance ensemble in Szeremle was founded in 1927. The dancers from this group danced primarily during balls, but in 1938 they presented Hungarian dances for the first time abroad – in Hamburg. After 1945 the ensemble carried on with their work in promoting traditional Hungarian folk dances. Their program features dances from the Rabaköz, Somogy, Del-alföld, Szatmar and Transylvania regions, and naturally from the Szeremle region.

GRUPPO FOLK „FIGULINAS” – SARDINIA

It was founded in 1987 in Florinas – a picturesque little town in the north of Sardinia. The ensemble is aided in its work by the „Figulinas” Cultural Association, the main aim of which for several years had been to reconstruct traditional regional attire, dances and songs. The concerts by „Figulinas” have been broadcast on Italian and Sardinian TV several times. The ensemble gives a lot of concerts, also abroad. It has performed in Turkey, Belgium, Greece, Macedonia and in Poland in 2000.

FOLK DANCE GROUP „ RAJASTHANI” – INDIA

The ensemble comes from the city of Udaipur in the Rajasthan district. It presents folk dances and songs of that region of India.
The ensemble has participated in several competitions and festivals, winning several awards and commendations – at international festivals in Bucharest, Tunisia, Vietnam, France, Malesia, Thailand and the Foolwalon Si Sair Festival in New Delhi, among others. It has also gone on tour to Romania, Iran, Denmark, Sweden, Algeria, Indonesia, Italy and USA.

BALLLET FOLKLORICO DE LA UNIVERSIDAD AUSTRAL DE CHILE – CHILE

The Folkloric Ballet of the Austral University of Chile was founded in 1979 and has been directed by Professor Julio Mariangle Toledo since its inception.
The ensemble has participated in several artistic tours around the country, as well as a series of TV programs. It has gone on several tours abroad – 14 times to Argentina, 4 to Mexico, Japan, Italy (where, between concerts in Sicily and Florence, it performed at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City), as well as Peru and Colombia. The ensemble is comprised of teachers, university students and staff of various department of the Austral University – all of them denizens of the Valdivia region.

KUD „DR DORDE NATOŠEVIĆ“ – SERBIA

The ensemble was founded in 1974 in Novi Slankamen. Its program features folk dances and melodies from various parts of Yugoslavia. It gives many concerts, taking part in international festivals. It has performed in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Austria, Bulgaria, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, among others.

THRAKIOTON – MANDRITSIOTON THERMS – GREECE

The ensemble has existed since 1983 under the auspices of the Thracians –Mandrritsiotians Association in Thermi, the main aim of which is to pass down the rich Thracian traditions to future generations. The Association currently comprises 350 members and 4 dance groups.
The group participating in our festival presented the folklore of different parts of Greece.

NEA GENIA – CYPRUS

The “Nea Genia” Culture and Folklore Association was founded in 1991 in Voroklini, located near Larnaka. The group’s aim is to promote and cultivate Cyprian folk culture. The ensemble comprises dancers, vocalists and musicians – 140 people in total. Nea Genia is a member of CIOFF-IOV. It represented Cyprus at several international festivals.

„JAVORINA” – CZECH REPUBLIC

The „Javorina” folk ensemble was founded in the 1970s. It originated from a group of boys who walked through their native Strani during the carnival season with dance, music and song as per their annual tradition. In 1984 the boys were joined by girls, and a children’s group was also established. The dance group works together with the CIMBALOVA MUZIKA STRYCI folk band, founded in 1978. The members of the folk band (the second generation already) preserved local customs and traditions, organize ceremony spectacles related to Easter and Christmas customs etc. „Javorina” and its folk band have performed in Belgium, France, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, among others.

GRUPO FOLCLORICO LA LAJUELA – COSTA RICA

The wonderful artists of Grupo Folclorico La Lajuela gladly present the traditions of Costa Rica to the audience through beautiful dances. Making use of each occasion, they try to impart part of their country’s history. This includes beautiful songs and melodies they had learned from their forebears, from whom they inherited their respect for tradition and history, and most importantly, their love of dance. Their repertoire features dances such as: Amore de Guardia, Danza Tica, Morenitas, La pava negra, El torito, El Gamonal, La Cajeta.

SHAMROCK – POLAND

The SHAMROCK ensemble is a living legend of Irish music. It has existed on the Polish folklore scene for 10 years. It has attended the biggest folklore festivals in Poland. It has participated in workshops and music sessions in Ireland and Scotland. It took part in a concert tour with BRAINSTORM. Nominated in 2003 for the most prestigious musical award in Poland, FRYDERYKI 2002, as the “Ethno-Folk Album of the Year” for its CELTIC album, alongside Justyna Steczkowska. Its activities includes professional organization of Irish-style events.