Národopisný spolek Komařice

The folk group was founded in 2006 by young people from the South Bohemian village of Komařice, situated between the towns České Budějovice and Trhové Sviny, by the river Stropnice, in Doudlebsko Region. The ensemble is an amateur group, whose aim is to collect and preserve forgotten songs, dances and traditions of Doudlebsko Region. Folklore has been always very rich in Komařice and in its surrounding villages and has been preserved almost in its pure form till these days. The most famous elements are the richly decorated regional costumes, the regional folklore music and many traditions. These traditions served as entertainment for inhabitants through out the whole year and had a very close connection to many Christian traditions and also to changes in nature and farming. The ensemble organises a number of culture events in its home village, such as a tradition carnival.

JAGALMAY - Central Asian Music and Dance

Central Asian Music and Dance is part of the non-profit organization Kultur-multur.org  working  on cultural integration. The band came to spotlight in 2006, although the founding members were involved in cultural, literary and film events since mid 1990s. The core members of the group are professional and amateur musicians from Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan, Kazakhstan) who live in Prague for various time period. The group involves also local and foreign musicians whenever it works for the program. The repertoire is mostly traditional classical, sometimes ancient, music of nations of Central Asia as Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Azeri, Ujgur and Kazakh. They use traditional instruments as rubab, komuz, temir komuz, doira, and have traditional colorful costumes. Sometimes accordion or keyboard is used when music of second half of the 20th century is played.

Heimat- und Trachtenverein Kleinreifling

The ensemble from Upper Austria was founded in 1927 with the aim of preserving and promoting traditions. Since 1987 they have an own ensemble house.The members wear the simple Ennenstal costumes, since 1997 the ensemble has its  own costumes. The women wear black dress with an angular neck and wine red jacket, white  laced  blouse, blue apron, blue silk kerchief. The men wear white linen shirt, black deerskin short trousers, green half-hoses with plait design and a kerchief with red design. The ensemble has performed also in Belgium, Finland, France, Hungary.

Tanzgruppe der Trachtengruppe Lustenau

Trachtengruppe Lustenau comes from Austrian Vorarlberg, region close to Swiss border. The ensemble belongs to biggest folklore ensembles in Austria celebrating this year 60th anniversary of its foundation. The ensemble is formed by a mixed choir, folk,children´s and youth dance group, children´s choir, folksong group and a youth choir concentrating on pop compositions. They have visited many European countries, e.g. France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic,. The  women wear traditional costumes of the town Lustenau, young girls  wear dirndl from the Rhine Valley region and men male costume from the same area. In Prague they will present dances from Vorarlberg, Tyrolia, Upper Austria and Salzburg.

Folklorno društvo Graničari – Folkloregruppe Grenzland

The folklore group comes from a small town of Nikitsch in Austrian region Burgendland. Most of the town's inhabitants are Burgenland Croats. The repertoire is formed mainly by Burgenland – Croatian folk songs.  In Prague they will perform dances from Sava River Region (Posavina), Banat and also  a circular dance from Nikitsch. Posavina dances had originally a magical character and were dedicated to the god of fertility. During the dance from Banat the boys are showing their skills trying to challenge each other  - e.g. during a dance with pitchfork, knife or bottle on head. The dancers perform in several original costumes typical for Nikitsch, Posavina, Lika, Bačka, Slavonia and Prigorje. The musicians wear costumes of Nikitch, Slavonia and Prigorje.

La Royale Compagnie Folklorique Fanny Thibout

La Royale Compagnie Folklorique Fanny Thibout The Royal Folklore Society Fanny Thibout was founded by Fanny Thibout, a promoter and lover of Walloon folklore, after World War II. She travelled around the country and Belgian Ardennes recording songs and dances of 19th century from elderly musicians and dancers. In 1953 the group was recognized by Belgian Ministry of Education. Since 1974, International Year of Child, there is also a children´s group working with Fanny Thibout - performing children´s songs, games and dances. In 2007 His Majesty King Albert II awarded the group the title "Royal". Since its foundation the group has been trouring the world - from Japan to the USA, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and most European countries. The dances were transmitted by word of mouth : the Walloon dances maclotes and passe-pieds, quadrille, polka, Scottish dances and contredance. Their costumes represent traditional trades, e.g. a strawbery vendor, miner, etc. Another type of costumes are Sunday and holiday clothes. The music accompanying the dances comes form the countryside and Belgian Ardennes. The typical instruments are violin, alto, chromatic accordion, flute.

Sneyssens

The Belgian folklore ensemble Sneyssens was founded in 1958 by Arthur Raman. The name 'Sneyssens' refers to a flag waver from Ghent. Beside dancing, the ensemble also  performs flag waving and other folkloric traditions. In their performances they mainly focus on Flemish dances, but they also  learn dances from all over the world. The  clothing is based on the traditional farmer's clothes from old agricultural times. Normally, a group of musicians accompanies the ensemble  wherever they perform, but for this festival they use recorded traditional music, mainly consisting of accordion, flute and percussion.

Ellington Morris

A traditional Morris Dance team based in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The repertoire consists of morris dances collected early this century from Cotswold villages such as Adderbury, Bledington and Bampton, and Lichfield in Staffordshire. The group performs a Mummers' Play each Boxing Day - a hero combat play representing death and rebirth, drawn from a centuries-old tradition.

Ebor Morris

York’s original Morris side and gave its first public performance on 1st May 1974. The team mainly performs dances from villages in the Cotswold regions of the UK but also Yorkshire Longsword. The kit consists of white trousers, white shirt, blue & maroon baldrics and bells – the only change to this has been the colour of the baldrics in 1977 and swapping straw hats for top hats in 1978.

Acorn Morris
Acorn Morris was formed in York in 1977. The group performs dances from villages in the Cotswold regions of the UK but also some Border Morris from Hereford & Worcestershire along with some dances the members have invented themselves. “Morris dancing” is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied with music, with implements such as sticks, swords, tobacco pipes, and handkerchiefs. The original kit of the group was white blouse & skirt, black & green baldric, green socks and black hats (free-style decoration) then the skirt was changed to a white pinafore dress. The current kit of green skirt, white short-sleeved blouse, black socks and black & green baldric and bells was introduced in 1990 with the addition of yellow hankies (instead of the original white ones). Our musicians have changed over the years, but have nearly always been melodeon and/or accordion players often accompanied with fiddle and whistle.

Rampant Rooster Morris

a mixed side of morris dancers, dancing with both stick and hankies, mainly in the Cotswold tradition with some Border and Bledington. The team dances to live music played by their musicians on melodeon, accordion and violin. The kit colours are red, green and gold baldricks and socks (taken from the colours of a cockerel, the emblem of a local town) with black leggings/trousers and white shirts. 

Three Spires Morris

a women's morris team who has been dancing in the cathedral city of Lichfield for over 25 years.  Many of their dances originate from the North West of England. The team members dance in clogs which were worn by working men and women from that area so the dances have a very distinctive sound. The group dance to the music of a large band of musicians who play traditional English tunes. The costume or “kit” is red, black and yellow with red clogs.

Folk Ensemble "Bylina" Haapsalu

The Estonian vocal ensemble Bylina came into existence in 1995. Nine women at the age between 42 and 75 years of various ethnic backgrounds sing traditional Russian folk songs. Costumes are copies of authentic Russian dress from 18th and 19th century. The ensemble is a member of Estonian Folk Music Society and has performed at folk festivals, charity concerts and celebrations mostly in Estonia but also abroad, e.g. in Lavia, Russia, Finland.

Seto Folk Song Choir Helmekaala

Seto folksong choir Helmekaala was founded in 1986 in Voru County situated in Southern Estonia. The aim of the ensemble is to keep alive culture traditions of Seto. Seto language is a dialect of the Finnic South Estonian or Voro language, spoken by about 5,000 people. Seto is also the name denoting speakers of Seto language, Seto people, who mostly inhabit the area near Estonia's southeastern border with Russia. Currently the choir has 12 singers, the repertoire as well as costumes are based on authentic Seto traditions. The ensemble perfoms in Estonia as well as aborad and has achieved several awards. 

Dance Ensemble "Sudarushki" Pärnu

The dance ensemble „Sudarushki” is five years old. The leaders: are Natalya and Vyacheslav Fomichev.
The members: are teachers and school-leavers of Pärnu Russian Gymnasium. They have participated in the International Festival „Slavic Garland” in Tallinn, city and national festivals. Their repertoire is oriented on Russian folk stylized dances.

Choir "Slavjanotchka" Sindi

The Slavonic Folk Ensemble Slavjanotška was founded in 1994. The aim of the ensemble is to introduce and maintain Slavic folk songs and national traditions for the next generations. There are 20 men and women in dignified age in the choir. The repertoire of the choir mostly consists of Russian and Ukrainian folk songs and different variations of folk songs. Traditionally songs are sung with movements. The traditions also include Slavonic handicraft – the national costumes, the ensemble wears, are made by the members of the choir. The ensemble Slavjanotška has made many performing tours around Estonia. The only performance abroad so far has been in the folk festival in Smolensk (Russia) in 2006. The folk ensemble is conducted by Niina Mozessov and Toiv Tiits.

Youth mixed dance group of Paide Co-educational Gymnasium "Seltskond"

One is single, two is a pair, but 16 is a company or a coterie (Seltskond in Estonian). That is what we are: cheerful, energetic, active, homogeneous, and very fond of dancing! We all study at Paide Co-educational Gymnasium. The group has been together for 5 years. In 2009 the highest recognition – the top catergory of folk dance groups – was achieved. By today, all in all 40 young people have been dancing in the group, many of whom have left school and found their way into other dance groups. Despite the short time of existence the group has had a lot of performances at parties and concerts in their school, at anniversary concerts of their hometown Paide and homeland Estonia, in the song and dance celebrations, etc. Their repertoire includes Estonian folk dances from different eras, but mainly new creation. 

Mixed folk dance group "Riikar"

The dance group Riikar started its activities with 6 mixed pairs in a small village of Väätsa, Central Estonia, in 1990. Nowadays the group consists of  9 mixed pairs (18 dancers) . The long years have included a number of performances both in Estonia and abroad. The group has participated in all the Estonian song and dance celebrations, folklore festivals in Poland and the Netherlands, joint song and dance festivals of Estonia and Finland, etc. During the years the group Riikar has been awarded the top category of folk dance groups. Over 100 dances have been collected into their repertoire. There are dances from ancient times to modern creations.

Young women’s folk dance group of Väätsa Community Centre "Ilodus"

The folk dance group "Ilodus" involves girls and young women who are active and love dancing. The group was formed at Väätsa Community Centre in autumn 2004. The members live in the village of Väätsa and in the nearby county town Paide. Youthfulness, zest and good dancing skills of the girls have amused lots of spectators and have also been highly awarded on the national level. The most important performances have taken place at the county song and dance festival, at the Youth Dance Celebration in Tallinn and at a folklore festival in Poland. The group includes twelve girls / young women.

Dance Ensemble Klujus

Estonian folk dance group Kuljus was founded in 1949 at Tallinn University of Technology. At the moment Kuljus is the biggest folk dance collective in Estonia with more than 120 active dancers, who are divided into 6 different dance groups. All together more than 1000 young people have danced in Kuljus since 1949. There is a number of various Estonian authorial dances and folkdances in their repertory. Also they perform a selection of dances from neighboring countries like Latvia, Russia, Finland, etc.

Cercle Celtique Bugale Melrand

The Briton ensemble Cercle Celtique Bugale Melrand from Melrand in western part of Brittany was founded in 1973. It is formed by approx. 40 dancers and a children´s group. In 1989 a 30-member-orchestra Bagad Sant Ewan Bubry joined the group and is now accompanying the dancers by playing on traditional Breton musical instruments such as pipes and the Breton conical bore double reed instrument "bombarde". The repertoire is made up of typical dances : An Dro, Laridé Mod Baod (Baud), dance of spinsters , Tamm Kerh, gavotte Pourlet.

Les Gâs du Tsarollais

The ensemble comes  from Charolles in southern Bourgundy - the heart of the region Charolais famous by meat of white bulls. It was founded in 1935 by  Joanny Furtin. The group mantains and promotes folk music, dances, traditional monologues and traditions of the regions  Charolais and Brionnais. They performed at numerous festivals in France, Europe but also in South Africa, Israel, Japan, Morocco. In their repertoire there are dances typical for various celebrations, such as weddings, christening  or danced after work in fields as celebration of a good working day. They dance polka, quadrilles, mazurka, Scottish dances, gueriaude, badoise etc. Their songs are traditional and also composed in dialect by Joanny Furtin. The orchestra plays traditional instruments such as   hurdy-gurdy, melodeon, pipes but also accordion and clarinet. Thewomen from Charollais wore caraco dress, an apron and petticoat – on their head a bonnet from muslin decorated by lace and fixed under chin by a ribbon. The richerwomen from Brionnais wore a dress over the petticoat, an apron and and a pleated shawl trimmed with lace. The coiffure has a metal carcass decorated by laces and bijouterie and a bunch of flowers or fruit covering the back of the neck. The curls were fastened by a ribbon.
The male costume consisted of a long blouse (as long as to the knees) opened at the neck, under it a shirt with lifted collar with bended edges, classical trousers. On the head they usually had a black broad-brimmed hat.

Cercle Celtique de Saint-Brieuc
Ensemble Traditionnel du pays de  Gouët 

The Breton dance ensemble  Cercle Celtique de Saint-Brieuc comes from Saint-Brieuc  in northern Brittany, 50.000 inhabitants. The group is active in the region Penthièvre,  rich in traditional Breton culture.  They work on the principle „learn and teach“ and thus help to maintain and spread the traditional music and dances. The women perform in costumes from around 1900 which can be divided  into  costumes of the bourgeoisie (with a special black kerchief called mouchoué covering their blouse and skirt) and costumes of the craftswomen: daily and festive ones. The every day costume consisted of a cotton blouse and wool skirt. The plaited hair was covered by a ribbon under the typical bonnet. The festive costume was made of silk – a  pleated skirt and specially manufactured waistcoat, a bonnet and elegant coiffure. The male working costume was made of  fall front trousers, cord waist and often a cap. The festive costume consisted of  3 part costume, hat and white shirt with a shiny collar. The dancers are accompanied by traditional musical instruments such as hurdy-gurdy, melodeon (a special accordion), transverse flute but also French horn or keyboard. The ensemble regularly participates in festivals and shows all over Brittany, in 2008 they performed in Switzerland.

Siebenbürgische Volkstanzgruppe Herzogenaurach 

The Transylvanian Folk Dance Ensemble Herzogenaurach belongs to the Union of  Transylvanian Saxons in Germany. Since 1995 they have been presenting their skills during festivities in Herzogenaurach and other towns with a numerous community from Transylvania. It is formed by childrens, youth and adult sections. The members come mainly from souther Transylvania (nowadays a region in Romania) but there are also Swabians from Banat and Franks. They are wearing festive costumes of their original little towns and villages that they brought to their new homeland. Some valuable jewels and accessoires  they wear are heritage from their grandparents, e.g. an expensive belt with clip or a richly decorated brooch. The women’s costumes are very diverse – every woman wears a costume typical for her birthplace. They do  not differ only by the colour of skirt and blouse but also by the kind of embroidery. The men’s costume is much simpler –black trousers, traditional high boots, white shirts with wide sleeves and black embroidery. Around the neck a richly embroided scarf. The ensemble will present typical dances from Transylvania and from German speaking countries.

Heimat- und Trachtenverein der Börde Elsdorf e.V.

The ensemble  Heimat- und Trachtenverein der Börde Elsdorf was founded in 1986. The initial activity resembled detective work – the members questioned the town dwellers,borrowed old photographs,  costumes and jewelry. Thus they succeeded in restoring the festive costume of Elsdorf (black colour stands for the swamps, green formeadows and pastures and purple  the flowering heaths). The group revives the dances of their town, so called "Elsdorfer Bunten". One of the musicians had still old notes and thus came back to life 150 yaer old songs.  An important part of the folklore life is taking care of the costumes and the effort  to preserve the weaving on original  looms. The ensemble has very good contacts abroad : they have good friends especially with ensembles in Sweden and in the USA (there is a big German speaking community in Missouri). They often perform at cultural events in northern Germany.  The future is secured by the children´s section.

Volkstanzgruppe Winterctettendorf e.V.

The ensemble was founded by a group of young  dance lovers in 1986. They dance mainly  pair dances: polka, mazurka, waltz,  laendler as well as chain dances,. The male dancers dress in original country costume from Upper Swabia (it used to be originally worn in the years 1790-1820).  The female costume is characterized especially by the round bonnet made and decorated by each woman. The stays and skirts are of different colour  - always  stressing the personality of each country woman. The male costume has a characteristic white linen coat. The yellow Swabian trousers from deerskin are completed by a white shirt, a red or blue vest and a hat that can have 3 different forms: round, three horned or in form of a little spade. . The ensemble has performed in several festivals:   2005 Ladenburg (Germany), 2007 Leutershausen (Germany), 2008 Szeged (Hungary).

Sorbische Volkstanzgruppe Zeißig e. V. / Serbska rejowanska skupina Ćisk z. t.

The folklore ensemble  Sorbische Volkstanzgruppe Zeißig was founded in 1997 on the occasion of celebration of 750th anniversary of  the town Zeißig. It is representing the Sorbian folk culture from the region around the town Hoyerswerda. The dances, songs and costumes pass from generation to generation. Their repertoire consists of circle and figural dances as well as two dance plays. The topics are based on 4 seasons, lyrics of the songs are about work in the fields and are often funny.The ensemble performed at festivals in Czech Republic, Austria and in 2003 in Texas (USA). They dance in the costumes of Evangelic Sorbs  proudly worn every day  by some elderly women till today.  There are 60 varieties making this costume one of the richest. They are made of wool, linen and cotton. The dominant colours are red,blue, white and green, they are decorated by blueprint, cross stitch, flat stitch and tulle trimming with embroidery. 

The Choir of Municipality of Aradippou

The Choir of Municipality of Aradippou  was founded in 2002. It is a mixed ensemble. The mission of the choir is to promote their  town. Its repertoire includes a wide spectrum of compositions – e.g. songs from the old Greek cinema. The ensemble has got 50 singers. The choir has performed at a number of festivals and other cultural events in Cyprus.  It is a major contributor to the cultural events and festivities organised by the Municipality of Aradippou. The first presentation of chorus was in the Music Evening organised by the Cultural  Committee in the Folklore Museum Costas Kaimakliotis on the 6th of June 2003.   The choir is directed by the music teacher and composer Loucas Xenophontos.

KUD "Obreška" Kloštar Ivanić

The ensemble KUD Obreška was founded on 10.06.1999 in order to mantain
the traditions and customs of northwestern Moslavina. There are 84 members in the ensemble divided into following sections: children´s, female singers, male singers, dancers and musicians (tamburica players -
playing special little mandolin). The group is famous by outstanding violin music acompanying typical dances such as Obreška drmeš. The group has performed in many parts of Croatia as well as in Hungary and Poland.

Fyyrkantti Myllakkä

Fyyrkantti Mylläkkä is a young folk dance group from Turku, Finland. The ensemble performs traditional dances from all over Finland. Most of them were collected around a hundred years ago and their history goes back to medieval times, among them simple chain dances. In Finnish folklore there are three different regions: the Swedish-speaking coast, the Orthodox area of Carelia in the east, and the rest of Finland. Musicians play the kantele, a string instrument, which is the oldest in Finland, then the accordion and the violin. Group members wear Finnish national costumes, copies of regional costumes worn by common people on festive occasions in the 18th and 19th centuries from all over Finland or folk costumes called Fereesi from eastern part of Finland.

Iso Ilo

The folk art group ISO ILO, the Great Joy, is an eloquent, lively and diverse performing group from Oulunsalo, a town situated near the city of Oulu in Finland. The group consists of about 40 singers and 5-7 musicians. The performances could be described as down-to-earth art where the members sing, move, act and dance. What is characteristic of the group is that there are 5-10 songs which have choreography and acting along the singing. The music of the group has developed from the traditional type of folksinging in a mixed choir towards newer, multivocal modern tunes.

Scoop Troupe

The Scoop Troupe was founded in 2000. It is a children folk group, which represents the city of Holon. They participated in large number of festivals and events in Israel and around the world. Last year, they made a concert tour in Transylvania (Romania) and Germany. They perform in military pants and white shirt. The repertoire includes Israeli military and oriental songs, the song  “Hallelujah“ and “We are the World“.  The director and choreographer is Mrs. Naomi Solomon.

Hunar Folk Dance Group

Hunar Folk Dance Group comes from Lorenskog, a neighbouring community of the capital of Norway Oslo. The dance repertoire includes examples of different types of Norwegian folk dances, ranging from the old dances with singing to the more recent dances accompanied with music. The programme starts with a “sweeper”, a dance from the western part of Norway, continues with song dances and several Norwegian country dances, and end with two Norwegian reels. Most of the dances come from the 18th and 19th century, but the “sword dance” has much older roots. Norway has a great number of different national costumes. Each dancer wears a regional costume of his or her home place, and you can find dress from the far north to the most southern parts of the country.

Indre Ostfold Leikarring
Norwegian group, founded in 1962, now consists of about 25 older members united by love of dancing traditional Norwegian folk dances including the typical Norwegian folk songs. The group members are wearing traditional costumes, mostly from the south-eastern part of Norway. The dances, originating from different parts of Norway, include both reels, row dances, traditional country dances etc. The musician plays the accordion, the fiddle is more common in other parts of Norway. The song dances are typical for Norwegian folklore, and are performed in a ring dance figure without any music accompanying.

Diversa-mente

The "Diversa-Mente" Cultural Association was formed in Terni (Umbria-Italy) in 2004 by teachers, students and social workers with the aim of rediscovering the cultural heritage of Umbria's country people in the late 19th century. The group is made up of 26 members among whom are dancers, singers and musicians aged 18-25. Their repertoire consists of Saltarelo, Stornelli (Refrains), the ribbon dance and fertility and festivity dances. Dancers are accompained by an excellent Accordion-player and a saxofonist. Their costumes are typical for Umbrian peasants in their colours and styles.

Artüsin

Association Artüsin was founded in 2000 and comes from the communities of Villanova and Roccaforte Mondovi situated in the valley Ellero in Piedmont, one of the 14 valleys making up Occitanie.  Artüsin means rhododendron. A plant which flowers are decorating the valley. The dance group promotes the Occitan music and dances through courses, workshops and festivals. The dances like e.g. bureo vieio, curulenta val varaita, sette saltiare etc. mostly of Occitane Italian origin, some French Basque. The costumes, copies of costumes from Etnographic museum of the province. are from the end of 19th century and used to be worn for dancing on festive occasions.

Coro Sa'mmalindine

The Folk Vocal Group Sa’Mmalindine was formed in 2005 in S. Valentino, a village situated at the foot of the Maiella massif, in Abruzzo Region, Italy. The music repertoire is based on the most ancient and traditional Abruzzo songs that make up the history of  Abruzzo, as well as on art songs written and set to music by well-known local composers. The choir regularly performs abroad and participates in folk and choral festivals.

Stelutis di Udin
The folkloric group was formed in 1977 thanks to enthusiasm of  its art director Maria Montagnoli, the organizer of activities of the historical borough of Via Pracchiuso in Udine, Italy. The costumes, the Friulian dances and popular songs performed by Stelutis di Udin are fruits of an attentive research done in numerous archives and also in cooperation with elderly people. The group is composed of twelve dancing couples and accompanied by seven accordions and one double bass. The ensemble participated successfully in numerous festivals all over Italy as well as abroad.

Rancho Folclórico e Etnográfico de Mogadouro

The group comes from Mogadouro - small town with about 4000 inhabitants, situated at the north - eastern of Portugal, in the Bragança district. It was founded in 1994 and is composed of 44 persons from various social and ageing background. The group plays instruments such as the typical Portuguese Bagpipe, drums, timbrel, guitar, mandolin, tambourine and triangle. The group has participate in various festivals: Silleda -  Santiago de Compostela in Spain (1996); EXPO’98 in Lisbon; World Folkloriada 2000 in Japan; Ribeira Brava - Madeira Island 2006; Paks - Hungary (2008). The costumes were used for various occasions – a market kit, a rich people´s dress, a Sunday women´s costume, a wedding dress, costume of ploughman, laundrywoman, shepherd.

Russian Folk Dance&Song Group Suramen - Vyborg

The Folk Song and Dance Ensemble  „Suramen“ based in Vyborg, a town in Leningrad Region, was founded in 1984. The name „Suramen“ comes from old Slavonic language and means a mixed forest, which characterizes the countryside of the area the group comes from as well as colorfulness of their repertoire. In their programme there are songs and dances from different corners of Russia, from quiet nordic ritual dances, so called khorovods, when dancers walk about hand in hand singing, to southern rounds and buffoonery. The team members are in the age 33 - 55 years. Among music instruments we will hear 2 accordions, the balalaika, the contrabass-balalaika, the guitar-balalaika (balalaika with 6 strings), percussions. All the instruments were made specially for the group and have unrepeatable sound. The costumes were sewn after old drawings of festive costumes from various parts of Russia made from original materials with hand-made embroidery. The ensemble has brought to Prague the Club of Preservation of Russian National Traditions "Lyubochazhye".

Narodnyi Ansambl Kazachey Pesni "Vecherinka"

The National Ensemble of Cossack Songs from the city of Vyborg, Leningrad Region, was founded in 1996. The group consists of 3 musicians and 8 choir singers. The repertoire is based on ethographic songs of Don Cossacks as well as cossack songs of various regions of Russia (Terek, Ural, Zabaykalsk cossacks). All songs are different by character – gay  and lyrical, drill and fiery dance songs, ancient cossack romances and ballads. The ensemble organizes for amateur and professional collectives  the international festival of Cossack culture  «Cossack Station» in Vyborg every year. They  participate in international folklore festivals «Yamgorod Station», «Plyusskij Venok», «Slavyanskoe Kolco».

Narodny ansambel “Polushko”

National Folk and Dance Ensemble "Polushko" based in Luga, a town in Leningrad Region, was founded in 1984 in the city’s house of culture. The name "Polushko" /little field/ comes from the first days of the ensemble when the members were engaged in agriculture. In 1986 the collective was given the rank National. In 2005 in the Luga’s house of culture was founded the Club of keeping folk tradition “Lubochazie”. The group has come to Prague with 26 members, and is divided into two sections: dancers, who are studying and perform Russian traditional dances and club of keeping folk songs, plays and traditions. The group is keeping alive folk songs, dance and music of its region. We will hear e.g. songs, that were performed during the patron saint’s day of Paraskeva Friday. Among music instruments we will hear the balalaika, the accordion, the pipe, the zhaleyka, the psaltery, the penny whistles. The costumes are based on traditional clothing of Leningrad region and made from original materials with hand-made embroidery. National Folk and Dance Ensemble "Polushko" takes part in the events of its region as well as in international competitions in Ukraine, Belorussia, Turkey, Israel, Sweden /where the group had given the rank of laureate/.

NEFELEJCS TÁNCCSOPORT

Muravidék (Slovenian: Prekmurje) is the northeastern part of Slovenia and this region was part of the Kingdom of Hungary before 1920. There is a significant Hungarian national minority at the borderland with Hungary. The Nefelejcs Tánccsoport works here within the Muravidék Region's Pedagogues Association. This folk-dance group was established in 2009. The members of the group are amateur dancers, mainly pedagogues. The Carpathian Basin has a very rich and coloured dance-culture and the Nefelejcs Tánccsoport has learned dances from two very different regions in two years’ time of working: dances from Moldavia and from Kalocsa region. The former is archaic, pulsating and the latter is of recent date. The Hungarian folk-dance differs very much from other European arts of dance. These dances are variegated, dynamic and full of life., sometimes accompanied by singing. The real Hungarian dances are the free dances (improvisation). The rich and coloured dance-culture is also seen in the costumes. The folk-dance group's choreographer is Emőke Szabó from Hungary.

Coral del GEIEG de Girona

Coral del Grup Excursionista i Esportiu Gironi  (GEiEG) belongs to a big cultural and sports  group of the Catalonian city of Girona.  The ensemble was founded in 1947 and in the first 20 years it was a purely male choir. Now it is a mixed choir of people of different ages and voices. The first conductor was Francesc Civil. The choir´s repertoire includes classical and sacred compositions, gospels, Christmas carols and traditional songs from Catalonia and Basque Country. They gave concerts abroad: in Rome (Basilica del Cuore di Maria a Basilica de San Ambrosio e San Carlo), in Torino (Bazilica de Maria Auxiliadora) and in the Brussels cathedral. In 2006 they have released first CD with songs originally from Catalonia, Basque Country, Italy, Castilia, Africa and America.

COLLA DE BASTONERS D’ESPLUGUES DE LLOBREGAT

Colla de Bastoners d'Esplugues de Llobregat, founded in 1985, is a Catalan traditional dance group presenting old Catalan dances called "Ball de Bastons". These traditional dances relate to rural experiences and  farmers’ life in the middle part of Catalonia. The dancers perform with sticks. They wear white shirts and trousers, violet sashes, scarfs and bands with bells attached to their legs. The musicians plays the Catalan traditional whistle, the taborpipe and the Catalan bagpipe.

Haize Dantza Taldea

The ensemble Haize Dantza Taldea was founded originally for children aged 3 – 12  in 1992  - their parents joined the group later. Nowadays the group consists of 30 children and 30 adults.  In Prague will perform also several members of the  associated group Eguzki Lore.  The group participates mainly in local, regional and school  events and also dances in a theatre. In Prague they will present typical Basque dances (jota, kontrapas, paloteado, fandango), as well as dances from other regions:  Gipuzkoa, Alava, Rioja.  The introductory and welcome dance is Agintariena- a dance with the flag when the dancers pay tribute to their country. Another interesting dance is Agurra – adance expressing respect to the authorities – the dancers are wearing the most elegant costumes. The Sagar Dantza is a dance typical forapple harvesting in September when apple wine is produced

Amaiur Dantza Taldea

Amaiur Dantza Taldea  is coming from the BasqueCountry. The group was founded in 1991 with the aim to promote Basque folk culture. They have performed in Galicia, France, Portugal, Japan and Scotland so far. The ensemble is member of Basque Dance  Society and consists of 3 sections: children´s  (5-10 let), youth (11-16 ) and adult . They are organizers of  a successful International Folklore Festival in the capital of Basque Country Iruñea-Pamplona. They like to organize exchange stays for foreign ensembles.

Elordi dantza Taldea

The ensemble has been studying and performing dances from Basque Country and Navarra since 2002. The group originated from a folk  dance course organized for children by the municipality. Thanks to enthusiasm and excitement of the children the small group hasgrown into a folk dance ensemble. All the dances the group presents at this festival are connected to a certain event:  thanks for rich harvest (the dancers use baskets or apples) , village celebration or fight inscenation (dance with knives). Each dance comes from a different region and therefore the dancers change costumes several times during the performance. The accompaniement is provided by several musical instruments: txistu (a flute with three holes), Navarra pipe, horn, clarinet and saxophone.

Mora Folkdanslag

Mora folkdance team is a group with 18 members from Mora, Dalarna County, Sweden. There are 15 dancers and 2 musicians and one supporter aged 40-70 years. Their repertoire includes old traditional Swedish dances such as waltz, snoa, hambo and polka. In Sweden each place has its own local costume and the group members wear the costume of their home district. The costumes comes from Mora and Orsa (also a place in Dalarna), and Offerdal, situated north of Dalarna.

Bandella La Castellana, Bellinzona

The band was born in Bellinzona on March 8, 1955 - in the more than 50 years of its existence it became symbol of folk music in Ticino, the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. The band consists of 10 members who play in historic costumes at various celebrations, events and festivals. In 2005 they released their first CD.

Gruppo Canzoni e Costumi Ticinesi Bellinzona

The ensemble was formed in 1923 and since then has represented the folklore of Ticino, the Italian speaking canton of Switzerland, in many countries, on radio and in TV programs. The ensemble is characterized by:
 - historic costumes from 17th, 18th and 19th century from all parts of Ticino
- a 4 voices choir singing folk songs and compositions from Italy and Lombardy, incl. religious music
- a dance group performing typical dances accompanied by a band or accordion
- the Alp horns, traditional instrument of local shepherds

Asil Nadir l.ö.o, Folk Dance Group

The Anatolian folk dance ensemble of Legacy Elementary School comes from Balçova, a modern part of Izmir. The children´s group is formed by 10 female and 7 male dancers. The students perform dances from different parts of Turkey, Turkish national dance halay, originally danced by men at weddings, belly dance etc. The dances wear  simple costumes with Anatolian  decorations.