FOLKLOVE

Love is undefined, interesting, mysterious and it has many faces. Let’s look inside and discover one of them by listening to the people who devoted their lives (at least partially) to folklore.

Ela Godzińska-Pająk from Poland had this to say: Because of the love for folklore I met also the love of my life, my husband Krzysiek, who used to dance in Student Dance and Song Ensemble Katowice. Together we have established a company „Pijani Folklorem” („Drunk with folklore”). We produce clothes with various patterns from different parts of Poland. Folklore is in our house, at our work, with our whole hearts we are devoted to Polish Folklore Culture. The love for folklore I caught at home, so when I started my studies I enrolled in the oldest in Poland Student Dance and Song Ensemble „Krakus” and there I entirely got crazy about folklore.  

Mateusz Zawada, a student, photographer, photo-model, but most of all the dancer in the Dance and Song Ensemble of Cieszyn Region the name of Janina Marcinkowa, described his experience with folklore in the following way: First of all, folklore is a great passion to me, it is my life, it is something I love. Also, I hope it to be my job in the future. I love folklore because it is so vivid, interesting, fresh. I love it, because while dancing or singing I feel great satisfaction. The history of my folk love is very long. To make it short, I will say only that I followed my juvenile love in a rehearsal. This is how it started. I dance continuously 10 years and I perceive it as my little success. I dance in an amateur group, which means I dance for pleasure, for the people and for the wonderful atmosphere inside the group. I don’t receive salary for rehearsals or concerts, because all I do, I do of my own accord. In the future I would like to become a part of a professional group and this is my biggest dream. Will it come true? I will see next year. Right now I am preparing for the audition. I am the founder of the Facebook fanpage “Dance Folk Is My Life”, which, with the support of other editors I run already more than 2 years. Running the fanpage allowed me to explore more broadly my own culture as well as other countries’ cultures. Through the fanpage I met lot of wonderful people with whom I am in touch till now. In 2017 we are celebrating 5th anniversary, so we plan a folk event and about that I would like to encourage you to follow our Facebook Dance Folk Is My Life.

Petar, a 20 year old EVS volunteer from Macedonia tells his story like this: I am a Macedonian traditional dancer in F.A. “OTEKS FOLK” Ohrid and there are a few things that are making me love folklore. First, folklore is showing me the way of life in meaning that there is always someone who you can hold on as in the dances we are dancing. Also I love folklore because is making me connected with our ancestors’ trough dance and music; we are performing the dances they enjoyed. Folklore is in my family a lot of generations so it wasn’t hard to get in love. When I was child I was participating on rehearsals and festivals but I didn’t dance. Dancing love I gained when I finished high school, and till today I am occupied with that. The benefits I have as a dancer are priceless. Mostly travelling is the main topic for folklore dancers but for me the same dance is main topic. In folklore is cool that you can make new friends all around the world, you can visit a lot of cities, and you can perform in front of numerous audiences, and you can fell in love in somebody from different culture. If we set folklore to bring us money for living and putting the pleasure of dancing, I think that is the greatest combination for all folklore lovers

Daniel, a dancer from Bulgaria, presents his experiences like this:  Why I think our folklore unique? Bulgarian folklore is extremely varied. On the territory of our small county we have six
regions with various dances, music, rituals and even crafts. Thus, with such a great diversity it could never become boring and everyday because you can find something new. Bulgarians are really proud of the fact that from 1977 on the board of spaceship Voyager a Bulgarian folk song is floating in space. Actually folk music and songs are one of the reasons why I love our folklore so much. First information for folk song and singers are from 9th or 10th century. The famous choir “The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices” astonishes listeners all over the world, it’s even studied in some music schools. Bulgarian singers from Bistritsa, “Bistrishkite babi” are entered in the book of UNESCO.  Other reason why I love folklore is incredible exuberant dancing of Bulgarians. The variety here is again –extreme. From the fast and emotional powerful dances in Shopski region to the slow and smooth moves in Dobrudza. And not least I love the folklore because of the connection with the history. The many traditions and holidays truly fill you with national pride. Something like mummers games are interesting for both Bulgarians and tourists. The large number of fairs, gatherings, festivals and exhibitions only strengthen this feeling.

Finally, the author, Paulina Drzał, summarizes the folklore talking about her love of national traditions: I am a writer, dancer, youth trainer, and violinist. I love folklore because it makes me feel who I am and where I belong to. It shows me how I differ and at the same time how many similarities I share with other cultures. It gives me understanding of being human. It is the only love which never betrayed me and which is timeless. It is the unconditional love that was started by my grandma who enrolled me for dance classes. After dance it came to singing and playing music. With time there appeared some benefits, sometimes also financial. I was cheating in this relationship. Leaving Polish notes for Balkan ones, jumping from dance to storytelling. From storytelling to music. From music to costumes. But you know what the best thing is? My Love always agrees on that! My love of folklore and everything connected with it.

Volunteers Center Skopje

 

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