Východná Folk Festival 2010

amphitheatre area,
chosen areas the township Východná
A
special position in the cultural events annually organized by Národné
osvetové centrum (National Centre of Culture – NCC) is occupied by the
Folklore Festival Východná. Individual shows and other accompanying
events of the three-day festival are attended each year by an audience
of more than 30.000. This festival has a unique tradition, presenting a
broad spectrum of art programmes with an international impact. It is the
expression of the abundance of Slovak folk art, witnessing the high
level of professional care for advancement under modern conditions, of
the traditional spiritual heritage and the attention given by the
National Center of Culture to the entire field of folklore.
The
Východná festival, named for its High Tatra host village, was established
in 1953 by members of the local folklore group. In its more than 54
years of history the festival, with NCC as its main coordinator and
organizer, gradually established itself as a folk-art show of
international dimensions, and is now considered to be one of the largest
and most attended festivals of its kind in the world. It is a member of
the international organization of folklore festivals (CIOFF), carrying
out its activities under the auspices of UNESCO.
More than 1200
active participants display the results of their artistic abilities in
Východná each year, representing all regions of Slovakia. Foreign guests
also regularly participate. Over the years the Festival has built a
tradition as a national meeting of folk-culture admirers, professionals,
activists and volunteers working in the field. It has always been an
event seeking and pioneering new trends in the elaboration, research and
organizance of folk art in Slovakia. Its programmatic composition
traditionally combines spectator-interest programmes with demanding
projects, generating a deeper knowledge of folk culture of all
nationalities living in Slovakia as well as broader historical, cultural
and spiritual links. Visitors of the interesting Východná
amphitheatrical area (in this days new), along with its adjacent
village and the nearby city of Liptovský Mikuláš are offered, in
addition to the Festival programmes, fine examples of folk arts (e.g. in
the form of a standing exhibiton of wooden sculptures, thematic
exhibitions, ets.) and cratfs. Informal evening meetings offer
possibilities for contact with folk music, song and dance.