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FOLKLORE
ENSEMBLE ZELEZIAR-IRONMAN
Many years ago I have seen the folk
ensemble Zeleziar perform at Vychodna festival for the first time. Later in
1989, while participating in choreography course through Matica Slovenska I
met and was train by Zeleziar's choreographer Vladimir Urban in Kezmarok and in 1990
Hybe.
Vladimir is a very hard worker,
one of the few remaining choreographers that really put in 150 % at all times.
His work and dedication to the folklore reflected by Zeleziar's performances
at the festivals. They always show us something new and very innovative.
The
ensemble excels with its special dramaturgy successful experimental
choreographic creation and utilization of wide scale of musical instruments.
In its visual expression the ensemble exploits from variety and vast
difference of Eastem Slovakia's regions. In their program they have songs and
dances from Zemplin, Spis and Abov regions of Eastem Slovakia.
In 1994, Zeleziar celebrated its 30th
anniversary with new gala program in November. The folk ensemble used to be
under the umbrella of the giant iron foundry-Eastem Slovakia Iron Works in
Kosice. Recently they lost their support.
So, Vladimir Urban a man always with
positive vision formed a Folklore Studio in Kosice at the beginning of 1993,
and Zeleziar is their most expressive representative. There are 40 dancers, 20
singers and 10 musicians.
They also have children ensemble of 130
children called "Zeleziarik," (small Iron men) split into three age
categories. In their now 32 years of existence they represented Slovak culture
54 times in nineteen states of Europe, Asia and Africa. Last November I have
seen their new program from Abov region: "Ked nas scece tu nas mace, If
you want us, here we are," presented in the National Theatre in Kosice.
If you like to get more information about
Zeleziar please write to them, their address is:
Kosicke Folklorne Studio-FS
Zeleziar
Masarykova 2
040 01 Kosice
Slovakia
All
photographs are for sale
GO
TO FOLKLORE GROUPS
Published in the Slovak
Heritage Live newsletter Volume 1, No.4, Winter 1993
Copyright © Vladimir Linder 1993
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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