Folkart, which captured the hearts of the people of Maribor a long time ago and made us all rightfully proud of it, has entered its thirty-first year in existence with a bold, happy and optimistic attitude!
Last year, the Maribor Folkart, the largest Slovenian folklore celebration, marked 30 consecutive years in existence – three decades’ worth of celebrating intangible cultural world heritage.
Folkart placed the city of Maribor at the centre of the European folklore map and made it into one of the most prominent folklore cities on a global scale.
To mark this impressive anniversary, we dubbed the festival the “Window into the World” and a more apt description could not be bestowed upon it; this window of ours that invites us all to learn and feel new experiences has been swung open once more.
Folkart, which captured the hearts of the people of Maribor a long time ago and made us all rightfully proud of it, has entered its thirty-first year in existence with a bold, happy and optimistic attitude! It calls to all people with a free spirit and open heart who wish to see beyond their immediate horizon.
In June, our city will welcome the most prominent folklore groups from Europe and other, more remote continents. Get ready for the feisty Irish and their dance steps that inspired some of the most famous dance shows; we will be able to experience the softness and pride of Macedonia and the fiery vivacity of the Ukraine. We will marvel at the mysterious culture of the Mayans and Inca from Mexico and embark on an exotic journey to the Guam Islands. Folkart will also look into the eyes of the faraway and mystic land of China and set its sights on the untamed Russian ancestors from Bashkortostan (Bashkiria) hailing from the Western edge of the Urals.
Rounding up this diverse and colourful group from all parts of the globe will be Slovenia, most notably our fellow Mariborians, the Academic Folklore Group Študent.
And so, our world-renowned International CIOFF® folklore festival Folkart will once again clothe our city in the beautiful and diverse colours of cultures from all over the world!
Opening: 25 June at 21.30, Leon Štukelj Square, Maribor
Closing ceremony: 29 June at 21.30, Leon Štukelj Square, Maribor
Ireland
“Absolutely Legless”, Edinburg
Absolutely Legless, a traditional Irish dance group, was formed in 1997 by experienced and respected dancers and musicians in Edinburgh. Through the years of performing all across the world, their innovative performances and quality have firmly entrenched them as a dance group with one of the best interpretations of Irish traditional heritage.
Absolutely Legless draw their inspiration from the deep Irish treasure chest, particularly the Irish hard and soft shoe traditions. Despite their fresh and modern dance approach, they remain true to the deeply-rooted tradition. They excel at mixing the hard shoe dance, which is full and energy and rhythm, with the softness and elegance of the soft shoe dance, creating a truly exciting experience.
We are all more or less familiar with the commercial version of the Irish “tap” dance from the Lord of the Dance musical or the River Dance show. Naturally, the creators of these shows got their ideas from the Irish treasure trove.
It is therefore all the more exciting that we will be able to see and live the real and true Irish tradition in Maribor, which will be, beyond any doubt, a wonderful experience. We will be able to witness an exceptional combination of the Irish dance heritage and authentic Celtic rhythms, courtesy of the backing band filled with tried musicians.
