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40
YEARS OF FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE
PARTIZAN
The folklore ensemble Partizan was
founded in October 1958 in Slovenska Lupca in Biotika-pharmaceutical
factory. It belongs to one of the best folk ensembles in Slovakia. Their
repertoire focuses on traditional folk culture of the Horehronie, Gemer
and Podpolanie regions of Slovakia. The ensemble was awarded with numerous
prizes at world’s festivals, such as the Silver Chain of the World
Festival in Dijon, France; prize of dance competition at Szeged festival
in Hungary, Vychodna
folk festival, and it has also been awarded many prizes at folklore
festivals and competitions in Slovakia and abroad. For forty years the
artistic mastership of the ensemble was appreciated by audiences in over
260 towns in 24 countries in Europe, Asia and North America.
I had first seen the Partizan folk
ensemble at Detva's folk
festival in 1987 and felled in love with their dance, singing, and their
music and as a matter of fact it was the first time I heard the music of
Horehronie.
Since then I have learned many Horehronie
region songs,
thanks to Partizan and I became friend with their long time
artistic director and choreographer Igor Kovacovic, who is also the first
deputy of Matica Slovenska, a Slovak Cultural organization with 135-year
old history.
I never miss any of their performances at the folk festivals,
as they are always more than 100% perfect. This year I had enjoyed their
performances at Vychodna, Detva and Kokava nad Rimavicou festivals. Kokava
nad Rimavicou in the Gemer region is also the birthplace of Igor Kovacovic.
Earlier this year Igor was celebrating his life long jubilee as he turned
60 and also was awarded honorary citizenship of Vychodna for his almost
lifelong help in organizing and participating at Vychodna festivals.
November 26, 27 and 28 the 40 year of Partizan anniversary celebrations
took place in the national theater of Jozef Gregor Tajovsky in Banska
Bystrica with program called "Returns to our roots."
All
photographs are for sale
GO
TO FOLKLORE GROUPS
Published in the Slovak Heritage Live
newsletter Volume 7, No. 1, Spring 1999
Copyright © Vladimir Linder 1999
3804 Yale Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5C 1P6
The
above article and photographs may not be copied, reproduced, republished,
or redistributed by any means including electronic, without the express
written permission of Vladimir
Linder. All rights reserved.
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