Ninth International Folklore Festival
Veliko Tarnovo
 
 
July 22 - August 5, 2006
 
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE PROFESSOR STEFAN DANAILOV WAS THE PATRON OF INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL VELIKO TARNOVO 2006

The Minister of Culture Prof. Stefan Danailov was the patron of the International Folklore Festival Veliko Tarnovo 2006 which was held from 22nd July till 05th August. 450 dancers and singers from 15 foreign countries were participate on the Festival and 750 performers from Bulgaria.
On 19th July 2006, minister Danailov met Emil Pavlov the President of the Festival and Chairman of the Bulgarian National Section of International Council of Organizations for Festivals of Folklore and Traditional Arts to UNESCO (CIOFF).
During the meeting was discussed the organization of the 36th World Congress of CIOFF which will be held in Veliko Tranovo from 27th October till 04th November 2006 under the patronage of Minister Stefan Danailov. For the first time Bulgaria will be host of such forum. On the 35th Congress of the Organization, which was hold in South Africa last November; our country was selected to be the host of the Congress.

DANCING GROUP “SARANDEIROS”, BRAZIL
 
BALKAN TRANSIT, DENMARK
 
BENI-SUEF TROUPE FOR FOLK DANCING, EGYPT
 
 
The dancing group “Sarandeiros” was founded 25 years ago by Vera Soares and Marilene Moraes, former teachers.
In 1997, after a short period of being inactive, the group reformed under the direction of the current teacher Gustavo Pereira Cortes, specialized in folkloric dancing. Òhe group have folkloric representations that combine dance and music in shows that have been seen on stages in cities all around Brazil as well as in international festivals in other parts of the world - Germany, Canada, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Holland.
“Sarandeiros” is composed by professional dancers and musicians, and represents one of the biggest and best Brazilian folkloric dance groups who are dedicated to acquiring recognition for traditional Brazilian popular culture, with its elaborate costumes.
 
Balkan Transit has existed since 1988. After 1990 and especially after Simon Leunbach joined the group in 1992 the group has had a strong inclination towards bulgarian music. He has been the kaval student of first Petko Kostadinov from Ljaskovets and then of the famous kaval-player, Stoyan Velichkov, with whom he has maintained strong ties through the years. In 1995, the group visited Bulgaria and made some recordings for the bulgarian national radio, alone and together with Stoyan Velichkov. The artists also met and played with the world famous folk singer, Yanka Rupkina. She has been in Denmark 1998, 2004 and 2005 to sing with Balkan Transit at concerts and at a big festival.
The group has different way of playing the traditional Bulgarian music and has been guest several times in radio and TV programs like Horisont, Hristo Botev and more.
 
The troupe is established since 1995, it consists of 60 members – female and male dancers, popular musicians, singers and a choral. The troupe took part in various national and international festivals and got several prizes – representative of Egypt at three festivals in Bulgaria, Spain, Greece, Hungary and Italy.
The troupe presents traditional and original dances and costumes. Its repertoire is rich and consists in various rhythms.
Some dances of the group are: Pharonic, Alexaldrial, The wheat, Hummer you bread, Hania, The horse, O’High palm – leaf stalks, Nubia, Clapping, Semsemia, Candlestick etc.
         
ARAB DANCE GROUP AL – ASAYEL, ISRAEL

 
JIN KYUNG – HEE DANCE COMPANY, SOUTH KOREA
 

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ENSEMBLE “KUIKALTIANI”
MEXICO

 
 
   
The debka dance group was established in 1990 by Yihya Abu Juma. This dance group shows the Arab Debka Dance - the Ethnic dance of the Arabs in Galilie Aria and various shows.
The success of the group is redirected in the fact that the Al-Asayel was ranked first for three repeated years (1995-1997) in local competitions and came second in international festival held in spin in 1997. It took part in various events as those held in USA, Mexico, France, Hungary, Germany and Palestine.
Despite all difficulties (financial, social and artistic), the group has always been determined to pursue its road of accomplishments with its more than 1200 local and international performances so far.


 
The dance company is named after Jin Kyung – hee – a teacher of Seoul traditional art high school and an instructor of traditional Korean dances.
The group has performed in many events and has won different awards – special prize at the National Dance Contest; grand prix at the Korean Dance Contest; Silver prize at the Chung Ang University and many more.
The repertoire of the company consists of typical Korean dances such as: changgo – chum – very dynamic dance performed with a long drum; salpuri – truly artistic dance of dual personality that turns sadness into delight; hwakwan – mu – one of the court dances especially for he queen; pu chae chum – the typical Korean fan dance.
 
The ensemble is founded by Armando Molina Villegas who is also general director of the group.
The ensemble had its first international participation at May 1993 in the USA. After that the group made more than 600 performances out of Mexico – USA, Austria, Italy, Holland, Germany, Greece, Spain, Belgium, France, Cuba, Columbia and Argentina.
The ensemble is inspired by the humanitarian ideas and represents one big family, where there are so many ways of thinking as the number of the members of the group, with only one ideal – to enlarge and reinforce its own social and personal way of life in the line with the philosophy:
“Growth built to the solid base of friendship and harmony; the man is always in the permanent difference and avant-garde”.
         
NATIONAL ENSEMBLE OF SONGS AND DANCES “SHOTA”, KOSOVO
 
ALLOA COLLIARY PIPE BAND
SCOTLAND

 
THE LAN YANG DANCERS, CHINESE TAIPEI
   
   
The National Ensemble of songs and dances “Shota” has been established in 1948 as one of the first artistic and cultural institutions of Kosova. For the first 15 (fifteen) years, this ensemble acted as an amateur, to turn into a semi professional one since 1963. In March, 1964 upon a Decree of the Parliament of Kosova, “Shota” gains the statute of Professional Ensemble.
During the 50 years of its activity, the ensemble “Shota” has played an irreplaceable role in terms of cultivation and development of Albanian songs and dances and affirmation of real cultural values, such as originality of costumes, authentic melodies and specific national dances this ensemble presented in over 50 countries in all the Continents of the Globe.
Only during the 30 years of professional activity, “Shota” has organized over 4.000 concerts all over the world and took part in the most known folk festivals, such as the one Dijon, Chicago, Melbourne etc.
“Shota” was many times awarded Prizes for such presentations. In the National Festival in Saranda (Albania) 1996, among 37 Artistic Ensembles, Ensemble “Shota” was awarded with the First Prize and the Second Prize in Dijon International Festival (1968) with participation of 58 countries from around the World.
 
At one time the band was supported by the workforce of six coalmines witch at one time were fully operational in the Clackmannanshire area, today there are no coalmines in the area. With the decline of the mining industry the band has had to become self-supporting. The original name has been retained because of the link with the Clackmannanshire mining history.
The members of the band try as far as possible to uphold the original concept of the Miners who formed the Pipe Band by offering their services to the local community. It can be seen at children’s gala days, charity events, community ceilidhs, nursing homes, Armistice Parades, playing for the local dance group and of course, no wedding is complete without the services of the Scottish Piper!
Another part of the tradition that the band uphold is the provision of free musical tuition on the pipes and drums, free band membership, free uniforms and free instruments.

 
The Italian Father Gian Carlo Michelini founded the “Lan Yang Folk Dance Troupe” in 1966. It is aiming to preserve the root and elegance of folk dance and depict the traditional aesthetics of the classic world through an innovative architecture.
Consisting of toddlers from 9 years old to teenagers of 18 years of age, the troupe passed down the emotions and life of traditional Chinese dancing through skillful technique and resourceful energy. From the country to the city, from home to abroad, the troupe conquered the different stages all over the world with its virtuoso performance. During their more than 30 tours and over 800 performances, its trace reached Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Vatican, and the European countries, Central & South America, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, China and Africa.
   
         
CHILDREN AND YOUTH DANCE ENSEMBLE “KVITY UKRAYINY”, UKRAINE
 
IDAHO ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS
USA

 
MUSIC DANCE COMPANY "AFROCOLOMBIA", Colombia
   

The group is created in August 2001 by the folklorist, musician and lawyer Blas Nikolas Sarmiento Avila. This is a school that forms a new conception for the afrocolumbian folklore, music and dance. Created by young people motivated to develop the idea of folklore and to create history into the artistic sphere, for short time the Music and Dance Company "Afro Colombia" won popularity and prestige.
The group has a rich musical and dance repertoire from all four folklore regions of Columbia.
Why "Afro Colombia"? Because the group is composed by Columbians who are proud with their origins. They believe in their country and identify them selves with their race who became from the "Mother Africa". The influence of the continent impresses permanently their folklore and origins.



Children & Youth Dance Ensemble «Kvity Ukrayiny» was organized in September 1991. The orchestra of folk instruments cooperates with the dancing group and also performs with its’ own program.
“Kvity Ukrayiny” is one of the best Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensembles. It’s famous for its’ good dance school, beautiful and unforgettable costumes, high quality of the show with unique sound of folk melodies.
The repertoire of Children & Youth Folk Dance Ensemble «Kvity Ukrayiny» consists of more then 30 dances: dances from different regions of Ukraine, dances of different nations of the world and children dances. The ensemble has also classical group that works on classical dances: places of ballet, soloist classical dances. But the main goal of the group is to show the best of Ukrainian folk dance heritage as to Ukrainians as to the people of the World. Audiences.
The group travels a lot, performing at different festivals, concerts and competitions. It’s always warmly greeted as in any place around Ukraine as abroad –.in Bulgaria, USA, Hungary, Belgium, Latvia, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Netherlands.
Children & Youth Folk Dance Ensemble «Kvity Ukrayiny» is always open for cooperation and would be happy to meet Folklore Friends all around the world!
 
The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express is an American Folk Dance ensemble form Burley Idaho USA, which is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The team has been traveling since 1996 attending festivals in Poland, Belgium, Hungary, Brazil, Italy, Taiwan and Mexico. Festivals appreciate the variety of dances, beautiful costumes, and happy, wholesome appeal of the program presented by the IRME.
The Idaho Rocky Mountain Express dancers are chosen from some 200 students in a private dance studio. The group consists of 24 dancers ages 11 to 16. Dancers have received extensive training in folk dance with clogging as their specialty. The team director is Kristine Handy. She has owned a private studio for many years training children in all forms of dance. Her husband Clay is a musician in the bluegrass band.
A bluegrass band accompanies the Idaho Rocky Mountain Express. Members of the band are accomplished musicians. Instruments include fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, ukulele and mandolin.

 
         
DANCE GROUP "CHUKURTMA TIFLISI", Georgia
 

FOLK DANCE GROUP “DIAVLOS D” OF
RENTIS MUNICIPAL COMPANY FOR ATHLETICS AND
CULTURE, Greece

 
FOLKLORICO FILIPINO DANCE COMPANY,
Philippines
 
 
   
Georgian Folk Dance Company “Chukurtma – Tiflisi” was founded in 1998. The company has performed a lot of concerts as in Tbilisi as in whole Georgia.
In 1999 the company wined the 1st prize in Tbilizi International Festival.
In 2000 took place in St. Petersburg International Festival.
In 2002 – took place in Turkey – different International Festivals and became a deplumed.
In 2002 – autumn – traveled in Greece and became International Festival deplumed.
In 2003 – the company celebrated 5 years anniversary and was invited to France, where became a deplumed.
In 2005 – again in Greece.
Folk Dance Company “Chukurtma – Tiflisi” is very popular in Georgia and continuous its creative work. There are even all Georgian dances in repertoire of Dance Company.
 
The folk dance sector includes 37 groups with over 500 members ranging 7 to 60 years old of age.
It was established in 1990 and up to now more than 3.000 people have attended its courses. It is also worth noticing that it possesses a rich collection of traditional local costumes from all over Greece.
The members of the dance group have participated in many festivals and events at many towns in Greece. They have also participated in many festivals and events abroad – USA, Canada, Serbia and South Africa.
Since 1996, the dancing group of Rentis Municipality has held festival of traditional dances.
The group proposes also dances from the area of Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, Epirus, Islands and of course the famous Greek Syrtaki.
 
In 1973, a group of young, newly arrived Filipino immigrants met and soon began to socialize with Filipinos living in Toronto. From this small social club came the desire to form a dance group, showcase the cultures and traditions of the Filipinos. In 1974, the Province of Ontario issued a letter Patent incorporating Folklorico Filipino (Canada) Dance Company.
The group that had taken form was innovative, experimenting and presenting Philippine culture in a nontraditional style. Drama was also incorporated into the different folk dances. Original music scores resulted from mixing traditional sounds with new arrangements.
The innovative style of Folklorico Filipino presents modernized folk dances of the Philippine cultures.
For over 31 years, Folklorico has delighted their audience with enjoyable and exciting programs.
         
SIVUYILE NONZAME TRADITIONAL DANCERS, South Africa
 
BULGARIA
   
Ensemble of kukeri with renaissance group from village Gabarevo;
Group of kukeri from community centre "Probuda", from village Padarevo;
Group of kukeri from village Tarnichane;
Group of kukeri from Society Alexandrovo and Osetenovo;
Group of kukeri from village Taja;
Group of kukeri from community centre "Probuda", from village Kalipetrovo;
Group of kukeri from community centre "Prosveta",
from Shumen;

Authentic Folklore Group “Zvezditsa Yasnogreynitsa” from village Elshitsa;
Dance Ensemble “Malinarka” from Berkovitsa;

FOLK DANCE ENSEMBLE “VARNA”, Varna;
REPRESENTATIVE FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE "BALKAN" - DRYANOVO;
FOLK ENSEMBLE "BULGARCHE", Veliko Tarnovo.