Prague Folklore
Days 2010
July 29 – August 01, 2010
Prague Folklore
Days 2009
July 23-26
Prague Folklore
Days
July 17 - 20, 2008
Prague Folklore Days 2007
 Austria |
| Trachtenverein Murtaler Pernegg The assoccation includes a dance group, a children´s group, a Schuhplattler ensemble and a mixed choir. The ensemble has participated in European festivals and is a organiser of Advent festival in their home village Pernegg. The group takes also part in other events of the region. |
| Lendorfer Schuhplattler The team comes from Lendorf, Austria. The most important dance of their repertoire is so called Schuhplattler, a traditional saltation dance of a pantomne kind when dancers clap with hands against their feet and thighs jumping and stamping. The dance is accompanied by typical melodies of “ländler“ and „plattlermelodie”. The kit originates in the region of Lurnfeldner. |
 Czech Republic |
| Vonicka z Cestlic The children’s folklore ensemble VONICKA was founded in October 1995 at the primary school Cestlice (Prague – East). The ensemble is attended by children from Cestlice and surroundings. There are about sixty children from age of four year in the team. The ensemble specializes mainly in Vlachian (north Moravia) folklore dances and also from Slovak and Bohemian regions. The programme covers typical children‘s games, traditional folkways, dances performing traditional crafts and indeed folk songs and dances. |
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| Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers a ladies morris dance team based in North Yorkshire. The group perform a wide range of English dances inspired by various morris traditions, some of which come from the north west of England, the Cheshire and the Lancashire Plain. The kit of the dancers reflects the national colours; red tights, white smocks and blue dresses with black shoes and bell pads. We use a variety of "implements" to accompany the different dances; short decorated sticks, hankies, garlands and shakers. |
| Chesterfield Garland Dancers a women’s side that performs North-West Clog and Garland dances. Garland Dancing is a fairly recent English dance tradition which began in the 1800s in the mill towns of the North West of England. Most of the figures in the dances are inspired by the movement of the machinery in the mills. The clogs were worn by mill and factory workers and are very hard wearing. Clogs of the traditional British design have been worn since Roman times. |
| Whitethorn Morris a women’s North West Morris side, formed in 1977 and based in Harrow, North West London. The group dance in Clogs, and the dances originally have been devised and danced in Lancashire and Cheshire. Their kit is a blue dress with a red apron edged with a white cotton lace, and white handkerchiefs. They wear white petticoats and black stockings or tights, with black clogs, which originate from Lancashire. |
| Ripon City Morris Dancers a folk dance group from Ripon City, the North of England, who perform dances from the North West of England, traditionally from Lancashire and the adjoining areas of Cheshire, Yorkshire and the Lake District. North-West Morris is essentially an urban, processional dance and aspects of its origins are still visible in the clogs and cotton slings. The kit is more flamboyant with much brighter colours and more adornments such as flowers, beads and sashes, and is based on the patriotic colours of red white and blue with added gold braid to match Ripon City civic colours. |
| Rainbow Morris Dancers a dancing team based in the village of Saltaire in West Yorkshire. The dances are in the North West tradition, named after the towns and villages where they originated. The group dance with clogs, bells, garlands and hankies, and their 'sticks' were used in Salts Mill for weaving cloth. The music they dance to is played on the melodeon, tin whistles, stringed instruments, drum and tambourines. |
| Chesterfield Garland Dancers a women’s side that performs North-West Clog and Garland dances. Garland Dancing is a fairly recent English dance tradition which began in the 1800s in the mill towns of the North West of England. Most of the figures in the dances are inspired by the movement of the machinery in the mills. The clogs were worn by mill and factory workers and are very hard wearing. Clogs of the traditional British design have been worn since Roman times. |
| POWDERKEGS BORDER MORRIS DANCERS an explosive dance side from the hills of the High Peak in Derbyshire, England. The group´s name was taken from ancient gunpowder mills near their home in Whaley Bridge. The team dance Border Morris, a collection of individual local dances from villages along the English side of the Wales-England, which dates back to the 17 th century; and was danced by farm labourers during the winter when work and money were short. They passed round the hat to collect cash, which was treated as illegal begging, and there were harsh penalties if they were caught. So they blacked faces with charcoal or coal dust, and wore rag coats so they wouldn't be recognised. |
| Buxey Morris Dancers Buxey Morris is a newly formed Morris team performing traditional dances from the Cotswold area of England. These dances are hundreds of years old and have been passed down through families. The group dance with sticks and hankies and wear bells on our legs to enhance our steps. Most dances are for six people, but dancers can show off their skills by dancing alone – this is called a jig. Buxey Morris is accompanied by a melodian. Another traditional dance from the north east of England is performed using swords. The dance is fast moving with distinctive stepping. |
| Old Palace Clog A women's English north-west clog side in South London. Northwest Clog Dancing is a form of dance from Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. Originally these dances were incorporated into Christian religious festivals and by the early 19th century played an important role in the annual ceremony associated with the changing of rush flooring in the churches of the area. |
| Persephone Women´s Morris Traditional North West English Morris dancing in the processional style. Sticks, bobbins and garlands decorated with ribbons and bells are used by the dancers. Clogs with bells are worn, and the team colours are green and yellow. The band includes melodeons, concertinas and drums and sometimes other instruments. |
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| Turun Kansantanssin Ystävät ry / Kumppampäi Kumppampäi is a folkdance and singing group with 12 girl dancers, aged 18-25. The group is a part of Turku Folklore Association (in Finnish Turun Kansantanssin Ystävät). The ensemble performs traditional finnish folkdances and also Karelian folkdances (Karelia is the old part of Finland which belongs now to Russia). |
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Tanzgruppe
Heimatverein Pljönjeshausen The team comes from
Northern Germany. The kit is a plain, rustic costume, men wear
black trousers, a waistcoat, a white blue striped shirt and a
cap, women a long dark skirt, a white smock and a hat with braids.
The groups performs traditional North German dances accompanied
by accordion playing.
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 Cyprus |
| Culture Association of Electricity Authority of Cyprus Personnel EAC Dancing has got 25 dancers and musiscians, employees of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, in the team. The repertoire consists of both Greek and Cyprus folk dances, each showing characteristic pictures of the village lifestyle of the Cypriots and the Greeks. Men dances in pairs opposite each other, showing competitive character, improvisation abilities, strength, courage and cleverness, on the contrary women dances are characterized by slow and shy movements, showing qualities such as modesty, solemnity, elegance and demonstrating their skills in needlework. By using a white handkerchief they demonstrate their virginity. The musicians play the violin, the laouto (traditional instrument similar to the bouzouki) and tambutsia. |
 Croatia |
| KUD Bistra began its work in November 2005. But its history goes back to 1929. Currently, KUD has 135 members in 3 different dance sections and 2 tambura orchestra (senior and junior). Since 2005 till now, KUD has given more than 40 performances, including the 41. International muster of folklore groups Zagreb 2007. Our national apparels are genuine, as well as our songs and customs that we perform. |
 Italy |
| Volkstanzgruppe Gadertal " Uniun Bal Popular Val Badia" Südtirol a folk dance group from South Tyrolia (Switzerland). Their mother tongue is Ladinian belonging to the Latin language group. The repertoire consists of folk dances from the Alps and a so called Schuhplattler, a traditional saltation dance. |
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| Cultural and Athletic Society "Kapetan Mitrousis" a non-profitable society, founded in 1982. The group is named after a compatriot rebel and famous Macedonian warrior of Macedonian revolution in the 20th century, Mitrousi Gogolaki (Kapetan means Captain). The society’s goal is to maintain and to promote the country’s cultural heritage by gathering folk songs, folktales and toys, teaching Greek dances and folk music and by collecting traditional material like works of art, costumes etc.. |
| Attica Folklore & Cultural Association a Greek folklore, music and dance mixed group consisting of about 30 dancers, based in Polydendri, a small, quiet suburb near Athens. The group performs Greek dances of Attica and all the geographical regions of Greece, with the appropriate traditional costumes. |
Cultural
Group "King Alexander" of Papagianni - Florina a
dancing group from Greece young people 18-25 years old that are
university
students or just graduate from High School of our Cultural Group "King
Alexander" have many presentations in Greece and in many
international festivals in Europe and in Australia.Is,people
that are interested in conserving the customs and the culture
of our region.The uniforms are handmade and authentic design
that our grandgrandfathers were wearing in the weddings, and
the music is authentic traditional music that someone can hear
in the weddings and in festivals till today.
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 Latvia |
| Dimzens The folklore group, founded in 1993, comes from the city of Jelgava, Latvia. All members of the group sing and dance Latvian tradicional songs and dances; many of them play several instruments. The repertoire is based on tradicional songs, dances and tradicional music of middle part of Latvia- Zemgale. Dimzens has participated in festivals in Estonia, Finland, The Chech Republic, France, Sweden, Slovakia. |
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| Lillehammer Spel og Dansarlag a group of 25-40 dancers and 10 musicians from the Olympic city, Lillehamer. The ensemble promote traditional songs and dances from Gudbrandsdal valley in particular and other parts of the country in general. Although the team is ageing, through the dancing and playing they keep fit and happy. The group have connections with other Scandinavian folk dance groups during regular gatherings where they exchange experience from the cultural traditions with their neighbouring countries. |
| Kongsberg Spel og Dansarlag an organization that treasures Norwegian folk music in the form of playing, singing and dancing and is specially interested in tradition from the neighbouring districts of Kongsberg, Numedal and Telemark. The group uses the Hardanger fiddle, the most important folk instrument in Norway. It is only to be found in Norway, and its origin goes back to around 1600. Other folk music instruments that are common in Norway are the Norwegian dulcimer, various flutes and Jew's harp. |
| Elverum Danselag a group of folk dancers from the county of Hedmark, situated in the south-eastern part of Norway. Traditional, not choreographed Norwegian dances are performed. The dancers and musicians wear Norwegian national costumes, copies of old models, from different parts of the country. |
 Poland |
| Folk Dance Ensemble ,,Poligrodzianie‘‘- Poznan University of Technology Founded in 1973 at Poznan University of Technology, the folk dance group is the oldest folk group of the student community in Poznan. Today the group has more than 100 members along with a professional band of 14 musicians. In their program they perform folk national dances, present rituals and sing songs representative of 16 regions of Poland. They all perform in original costumes with original musical instruments characteristic of the given regions. In its rich history the group has received many awards and honors in Poland and abroad. |
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| Grupo de Dancas e Cantares de S.Romao a singing and dancing Portugal group based in the region Leiria. They sing traditional songs from the first half of the 20th century. Originally the traditional kit was a black skirt with a white smock for women and for men a white shirt, a straw-hat. black trousers and a waistcoat. Nowadays the ensemble use costumes of several Portugese regions, which were worn on various occassions (e.g. Sunday kit, market costume etc.) |
Mar de Pedra
Cantares Populares a Portugal music ensemble from the
city of Vila Real. The repertoire includes Portugese folk songs,
the group members play several music instrumenst – the
flute, the drum, the mandoline, the accordion and the guitar.
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 Russia |
| Ansambl narodnoy pesni "Okolica" Other folk song ensemble from Obninsk, Russia, also a laureate of numerous national and international competitions. The group was founded in 1993 and is lead by Tatyana Reznikova, holder of diploma from All Russian Competition. The repertoire of the vocal group consists of Russian folk lyric and entertainment songs from various parts of Russia. |
| Ansambl narodnoy muzyki "Igray Rozhok!" The ensemble comes from Obninsk, Russia, and it is a laureate of national and international competitions, holder of Grand Prix. The team was founded in 1987 and is lead by Leonid Reznikov, Merited Art Specialist of Russia, Laureate of National Award "Soul of Russia". The repertoire of the ensemble consists of arrangements of Russian folk songs, playing ancient Russian instruments and instrumental compositions. |
| “Sinaja Ptitsa“ The children´s concert choir of the music studio of the secondary school in Moscow was founded in 1998. The ensemble will perform a traditional wedding ceremony with 25 singers and 10 dancers. The choir has participated in national as well as international contests since its foundation. The children has achieved prizes at festivals in Moscow, Budapešt, Tiours (France), at the Choir Olympics in Bremen and Graz. The artiscit director is Petr Voronov. |
 Spain |
| COROS Y DANZAS DE MORA DE TOLEDO the ensemble comes from the Spanich region Toledo. Dances and music are connected with La Macha, the land of the famous figure of Spanish literature, Don Quijote. The repertoire also revers to the main agriculture activity of the region, olives planting and production of olive oil. The costumes originate in 19th and beginning of 20th century. |
| "SIBERIA EXTREMEÑA" The ensemble comes from a Spanish town Orellana la Vieja situated in the region of Extremadura. Men members of the team use black leather shorte, a red sash, white shirt and black leather smock. Women´s costume consists of embroidered shoes, white knee-socks, petticoats, a black decorated apron and a silk scarf. |
| Catalonia (Spain) |
| Esbart Eudald Coma de Ribes de Freser the group is based in the town of Ribes de Freser situated in Catalonian Pyrenees. The ensemble was founded in 1944, took part in festivals in Italy, Mexico and the Netherlands, but interrupted its activity in the mid 60´s. The group was renewed at the end of 90´s. The repertoire consists of Catalonian dances. |
| Randellaires del Ripollès Catalonian music group founded in 2001. The repertoire includes traditional music played with ethnic music instruments, like didjeridoo, darbuka, djembé. The ensemble takes part in festival in Catalonia and in southern France. |
| ESBART DE LLINARS DEL VALLES The team was founded in 1987, in their repertoire there are dances from Spanish regions, such as Catalonia, Balearic Islands and Valencia. Every dance has got its typical costume and is connected with a specific activity or event. The group regularly participate in folk meeting in Catalonia. |
| Esbart L´Espolsada The folk grou was founded in 1995 nd is based in Premià de Dalt, a town of Catalonia (Spain). The repertoire consists of dances from the region of Marasme. Women dancers wear long skirts, aprons, lace tights, smocks with a bodice. Men´s kit consists of shorts, lace tights, traditional shoes, shirts and waistcoats. |
| Esbart Santa Llúcia The team comes from Catalonian town Reus, in their repertoire there are dances from Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencia and southern part of France, neighbouring with Catalonia. Dances like Jota, Copeo or Bolero rank among the most typical. Dancers with sticks accompanied by live music, so-called Ball de Bastons , will participate in the parade. |
Esbart Brugues de Gava Founded in 1998 the group performs dances of the regions Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencia and Rousillon land. The team regularly participate in regional folklore festivals, in 2008 took part in the events of the festival „Primavera Eslava - Slavic Spring“. Apart from that the ensemble also dance at various humanitarian events, e.g. in 2006 at a big music marathon organised to help the tsunami victims.
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| La Colombiere - ensemble folklorique du Grand-Saconnex agréé par la Ville et l´Etat de Geneve a folk group from Grand-Saconnex, a town situated in a French speaking part of Switzerland (Geneva Canton). The history and the present is connceted with the family Mamboury, a father with three daughters organize and lead the group and make the costumes, which were originally worn at the beginning of 19th century around the Lake of Geneva. |
| Amicale des Sonneurs de Toupins ECHO de SOLMON a Swiss folk music group based in the canton of Neuchâtel will be performing with 15 members. The ensemble is going to present „toupins“, traditional cow bells, hanging over the shoulders of the musicians, who change the sound of the bells by swaying. |
| Au Fil du Temps a folklore ensemble based in a French speaking part of Switzerland with 25 dancers and musicians. The group performs mainly dances of the Canton Fribourg (coraule, ronde) but also others, like polka or mazurka. |
| Lè Mayintson dè la Noblya Contra folk group based in a mountain village near the ski and spa centre Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps, on the German and French language border. Music and dances of the ensemble are influenced by relationship between the people from the lowlands, who plant vine, and inhabitans of the hills, typical for mountain farming. |
| Trachtengruppe Buochs a German speaking Swiss group with 145 members belong among the biggest folklore ensembles in Switzerland. The group wear a typical costume of the canton „Nidwalden“. They organise a folklore festival in their home town Buochs. |
| Trachtengruppe Flüelen + Trachtengruppe Spiringen a Swiss singing and dancing ensemble with 70 members. At performances female members were festive Sunday costume with a red kerchief over shoulders and a red apron. A male kit is typical for a blue jachet with rich embroidery. The group performs together with an ensemble Trachtengruppe Spiringen. |
| Jodlerklub "Alpenrösli" Lausanne The yodel club was founded in 1921. The dances come from various parts of Switzerland. The repertoire includes folk songs and contemporary pop music of the Alpine Region. The team warble in both, German and French. The women´s kit originates in the cantons of Bern a Luzern, the men dancers wear a traditional costume of Bern Region. |
| Heidi´s Volkstanzgruppe mit Musikgruppe Filigrana The music group Filigrana is performing in Prague together with a folk dance ensemble Heidis Volkstanzgruppe. Their repertoire consists of international folk music from Iceland, Scandinavia, Central, South and East Europe as well as Jewish melodies. The dance group members come from various parts of Switzerland wearing costumes of their regions, which makes their performaces very colourfull. |
| Alphornbläservereinigung Zürich - Stadt a Swiss folk group who play the so called Alphorn, a traditional music instrument of alpine herdsmen. A long wooden tuba makes long-drawn and deep vibrating tones, whose sound spreads far through mountain valleys. |
 Wales |
Clerical
Error a team of dancers and street entertainers
who formed to resurrect style of Morris Dancing indigenous
to the Welsh/English border, known as Border Morris. Border
Morris has a unique style by virtue of the fact that the loud
and energetic dancing is performed with stisks and the dancers
blacken their faces. It is believed this was done as a disguise
(coal and charcoal being the most readily available materials
in those ages). The striking costume of top hat and tails is
added to by the three coloured ribbons, chosen to represent
the Welsh dragon (red) the Daffodil (yellow) and the Leek (green).
All symbols of Wales.
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England
Finland
Germany 
Greece
Norway
Portugal
Switzerland
Tel:
+420 / 257 219 999 Fax: +420 / 257 219 999 email: folklore@praguefestival.cz