The International Folklore Festival "HORA MARE" - The 16th Edition

Between 30th of July and 3rd of August 2008, it will take place the 16th edition of International Folklore Festival "HORA MARE".

Event's coordinators, Calarasi County Council, Calarasi County's Centre for Preserving and Promoting Traditional Culture and Calarasi Municipality, invites the public to the shows that will be performed every evening on the stage of Dumbrava Park, at 20.30.

Performances will happen under the aegis of International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF) and will include various programs whose quality will be garanteed by the presence of professional groups that promote the folklore of the countries they represent : RUSSIA, TURKEY, GREECE, POLAND, SERBIA and BULGARIA. ROMANIA will be represented by the following folklore groups : "DOINA COVURLUIULUI" - Galaţi, "BRÂULEŢUL DUNĂRII" - Grădiştea, "PREFAB" - Călăraşi şi "BĂRĂGANUL" - Călăraşi.

THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL "HORA MARE"

The Bulgarian Folk Dance and Songs Ensemble ISKAR was founded in 1985. The programme includes dances and songs from different regions of Bulgaria, whose uniqueness is rendered through an expressive choreography and original costumes. Most of the dancers and singers are students at the National Dance Art School in Sofia, which ensures an excellent artistic quality of the performance. The ensemble's orchestra comprises the essential Bulgarian traditional instruments : kaval, gaida, gadoulka, tupan and accordion. The ISKAR ensemble has participated in numerous festivals in Bulgaria and abroad : Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary, Romania. The ensemble has performed 10 concerts during World Expo in Korea. In 2005, the ISKAR ensemble won the first prize in the Folk Dance Festival from Yalova - Turkey, competing with 20 other groups from all over the world.

The group "Omilos Glifada Horostasi" was created in September 2004, with the aim of organizing groups of people who wish to help in the preservation and conservation of the Greek cultural heritage. The group is formed of 180 members, divided into several sections which cover : dance, music, folklore research. With the sponsorship of the Prefecture of Piraeus, the dance group has held several performances. It also had a splendid participation in the Dance Festival of the Varnava community.

Folk Dance Group KALINA is an art group of the University of Physical Education Wroclaw, and was founded in 1983. The group comprises up to 60 members, young students at the University of Physical Education, the Academy of Economic Studies in Wroclaw and at the Music Academy. The group has colourful performances of Polish traditional dances and songs. The KALINA ensemble is a member of the Polish Academic Folklore Association and CIOFF - Poland. The group participated in numerous international festivals in Turkey, Czech Republic, Russia, Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, South Korea, Egypt, Spain, Serbia, Mexico. The ensemble held second place in the Polish festival in Stalowa Wola - Grand Prix of CIOFF. 

The National Choreografic Ensemble RADOST was formed in 1950. The group comprises pupils and students. The repertoire consists of traditional Russian dances. The ensemble has won several regional competitions and festivals of folk dance. It received the title of "National Collective" in 1998. The same year RADOST won the third prize in three Moscow festivals. In December 1999, the ensemble was awarded the Honorary Title of  "The Winner of the 5th Artiada of the Russian People". One year later, RADOST celebrated its 50 year anniversary and was conferred the award for "High Achievements" in amateur choreografic art by the Governor of Moscow region. One of the most important moments in the ensemble's life was the performance at the P.I. Tchaikovsky concert hall in Moscow, for which it enjoyed the acclaim of the critics.

The Croatian Cultural Centre "HKC Bunjevacko was founded in 1970. It is a complex centre which includes several sections, such as : folklore, music, art and drama. The folklore section has 300 members and comprises both adults and children. The folk group performs songs, dances and music from every region in Croatia (Medimurje, Zagorje, Zagreb, Brac, Hercegovina, Prigorje etc.). The ensemble has participated in several international festivals in Cyprus, France, Czech Republic, Bosnia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland.

The Tuana Sanat Kulubu was created in 2002 in Ankara to revive elements from the depths of Turkish history. The ensemble has promoted the Turkish traditions by participating in numerous television productions, including the National Television TRT. The Tuana ensemble held first place in the National Folk Dance Competition, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Haci Omer Sabanaci Foundation, in 2004, 2006 şi 2007. Its repertoire comprises dances from different Turkish regions, such as : Artvin, Adyaman, Aydin, Bilecik, Bitilis, Bodrum, Burdur, Bursa, Gazi Antep, Kirklareli, Silifke, Tokat, Trabzon. The ensemble has had successful participation in several international festivals from Korea, Canada, Belgium, Greece, Mexico, U.S.A. and others.