August 19, 2009 - International Folklore Festival

This evening was one of the outings I was most looking forward to, the 55th Mezinárodni folklorní festival in Červeny Kostelec - performances by international dance and singing groups, folk crafts, etc. Between 6 and 10 p.m. ten groups performed - from Italy, Poland, Turkey, Moravia, the Basque region of Spain, Cape Verde, Greece, Sicily, Croatia and Slovakia. Some were more dramatic than others, some had better costumes, but the main difference between the performers here and in the U.S. was that each group had their own live band and did their own singing. There was no taped music the entire evening! The highlights were the groups from Croatia and Slovakia - very energetic with elaborate, well-rehearsed choreography.

Croatian Dancers

Slovak Dancers

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