Greece

Naoussa Paros Music & Dance Group

In the center of the Cycladic complex of islands lies the island of Paros, which is home to the old country town of Naoussa, located on the northern bay of the island. Back in 1988 a group of people from Naoussa who loved traditional music and dance founded The Dance Group of Naoussa Paros.

The ensemble was founded with the purpose to serve the Paros culture in traditional dance, music, and theater and show it in Greece and abroad. The Music and Dance Group “Naoussa Paros” has participated at performances in Greece as well as abroad in Portugal and Holland. “Naoussa Paros” has also won the 2nd International prize in Wales and 3rd for the European prize in Xanthi.

The Group goal is preserving and then circulating the dances, the music and the songs, the habits and the customs of Paros. Naoussa Paros always performs with live music from violin, touberleki and song, but also tsabouna and toubaki, which contribute to the cultural growth that is passed on to younger generations through the tradition of folklore.

Israel

Shalom Israel Ashdod

Based in the Mediterranean port of Ashdod is the internationally acclaimed dance group Shalom Israel Ashdod directed by Yechiel Gano. Shalom has previously attended Folkmoot USA in 1995, 1998, 2002 and is returning to the festival this year to perform for the fourth time.

The company holds a broad and varied repertoire of Israeli folklore and modern dance, which displays the joy, simplicity and tradition of the Jewish people. This, blended with the ancient history, shows the struggles and suffering as well.

The ancient culture, religion, politics, passion, and history of the State of Israel in combination describe the Israeli dances. The dances have Biblical influence and Asian, European and African heritage. Celebration dances such as Pessah expresses the struggle of the Jewish people from slavery to freedom, the Day of Independence salutes the creation of the State of Israel, and Purim is the celebration of the liberation of the Jewish people. The Shavouot or wheat harvest dance describes the farmer’s joy when harvesting his crop.

Shalom Israel Ashdod spreads the language of peace through its music and dance. In fact, its name means Peace in Israel. The company represents the city of Ashdod and the state of Israel with great pride, in festivals in Israel and around the world, and is always highly appraised. Shalom has performed in Europe, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Canada, and China.

Mexico

Raices

The folk ensemble Raices, “Mexican and world folk expressions” was created in 1995 by Gerardo Maldonado as one of the most important activities produced by the Performing Arts Department of Tecnologico de Monterrey Institute located in Monterrey, Mexico. All of the productions performed by Raices incorporate the folklore of the entire Mexican territory as well as many other cultures.

Under the direction of Hugo Garza Leal, Raices has taken the responsibility to inform others about the folklore and traditions of the Mexican culture since 1996. Raices’ goal is to strengthen the pride of the Mexican culture by sharing the country’s cultural diversity. Since 2004 the company has participated in more than twenty international folk festivals throughout Europe in Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain.

The vibrant costumes are made of multi colored fabrics detailed with intricate embroidery for many performances. In tribal dances the performers dress as warriors wearing native headdresses and carrying decorative shields.

The dances Raices performs are lively with fast paced repertoire, upbeat music, and traditional folk songs. Maracas are used by the dancers during one of the performances, giving the dance a fast rhythmic beat.

Netherlands

Paloina

The Dutch folklore dance group and orchestra Paloina out of Amsterdam was founded in 1971 by Erda Baerents. Paloina has an extensive repertoire that consists of a vast selection of Dutch and international choreographies and traditional dances. The group performs in a variety of colorful costumes and the shows are accompanied by the group’s own band under the musical direction of Johan Baernets. The 40 performers provide an enchanting spectacle of song, dance and folklore.

Most of the choreographies are based on traditional Dutch folk-dances, mixed with musical intermezzos by the band playing a selection of Dutch music and song. The entire repertoire nicely sketches the many facets of Dutch folk dance and music.

Paloina performs in traditional Dutch costumes, characterized by a diversity of lace caps and unusual jewelry. A number of dances are performed on clogs, the famous wooden shoes of Holland. The Dutchmen never danced on clogs traditionally; they only used them as protective footwear. The costumes are from many regions, towns and villages in the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, the counties of Zeeland and West Friesland and the famous fishermen’s villages of Volendam, Marken and Urk.

Romania

Dor Transylvanian

Dor Transylvanian folk ensemble was one of the first professional ensembles established after WWII, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, which is located in the Transylvania region. Romania is a unique European country, as its folklore still exists in its natural environment, but this is now vanishing with the spread of western culture and modern technology. A rich variety of traditional dances still exist in Romania due to its isolation until the mid 19th century, which resulted in the continuance of a peasant life style.

Romanian dance is a combination of elements of formation, regional style, motifs, musical rhythm, choreography and social occasions. A subtle change in one or more of these elements can create another dance. These dance formations have roots in different periods of history and have mostly been maintained in original form to this day. Dances are divided into three basic categories of chain dances which include social dances, men’s dances, and a large repertoire of fixed sequence dances..

Traditional Romanian clothing has remained unchanged throughout history. The basic garment for both men and women is a chemise or shirt made from hemp, linen, or woolen fabric, with the ends tied around the waist as a fabric belt. The female chemise is typically hangs to the ankle and the men’s shirt is shorter and is worn with trousers or leggings. Women always wear an apron over their chemise, sometimes two for the front and the back. The garments worn by the men and women are similar with the main difference being in the cut and decoration of the materials.

Dor Transilvan folklore ensemble has performed internationally at festivals in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the U.S.

Serbia

Talija

Folk dance ensemble "Talija" has been established in Belgrade since 1998. “Talija” has grown to be an organization of approximately 200 members, which are divided into multiple ensembles.

Talija performs dances which represent the heart of Serbia. The dances are derived from six regional areas throughout Serbia. Original Serbian folk dances are described as delicate and beautiful, while others are a blend of spiritual culture and traditional stylized dance. The regional folk dances of Serbia are highly influenced by other cultures such as Bulgarian folklore in the valley of the Nisava River on the Old Mountain hillside. The wild and high-spirtied “Cocek” dance performed by Gypsies is a mixture of noble and oriental dancing from the south.

The authentic national clothing which the ensemble owns was partly acquired from the people from different parts of the country and partly made by the originals as well as professional tailors who preserve and fill in this rich treasury of the national clothing. The costumes represent characteristic expressions of the district from which the dances originate. Shepherd’s clothes made of sheep’s wool are the costumes used for The Shepherd Dances, along with walking sticks. Each of the costumes represents a special visual experience and each part is a work of art.

Spain

Adolfo De Castro

Founded in Cadiz, Spain, during the 1970’s by members from the old Section Feminia Association, Adolfo De Castro ensemble is dedicated to the Folklore of Andalucia, Spain. The group is dedicated to conserving the folklore of Spain in its original form.

Adolfo De Castro performs a range of dances, from the vast repertoire that is derived from the folklore of Andalusia. The flamenco is one of the key points in this folklore. The most established dances of the purest folklore come from the towns of Andalusia, where the sound of the castanets, typical of their folklore, can be appreciated.

The repertoire performed by Adolfo De Castro is described as graceful, with fast paced rhythmic movements. The choreography often tells a story about courting, marriage, or other special celebrations of life events, and the Vito dance is a parody of bullfighting. The dancers perform in beautiful costumes made out of vividly colored materials and the dancers often use fans and castanets while performing.

The music for the dances is performed by a band of Spanish musicians with instruments such as Spanish guitars, violin, sax, lutes, tambourine, bandurria — which is similar to the mandolin — and the use of the palms as a percussion instrument with soft and hard claps of the hand.

The ensemble has performed internationally in France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Sardinia, and Portugal participating in some of the most important folk festivals. They have also participated in many other international events in countries such as Ireland, Malaysia, Japan, and Poland.

Togo

Tahoungan

With a name that means “Two Tall Drum” in English, it’s no surprise that the group from Togo will depend on strong rhythms for its dances. The rhythms will be slow and fast, soft and loud, intense and calm. The sound of the dancers feet along with the drums, all made by group members, provide an exciting and energizing performance. “Tahoungan” will perform dances from both northern and southern Togo.

United States

Highländlers

The Highländlers is a performing team of dancers and musicians from Georgia who keep alive the folk traditions of European countries. The group uses art both to entertain and instruct, frequently conducting hands-on workshops teaching songs and dances that can be learned quickly and easily. The name is a combination of the words: “Highland” (Scottish) and "Ländler" (a type of German dance, meaning “from the land”). The Highländlers have competed and won awards in international dancing in both youth and adult divisions.