37th International CIOFF® Folklore Festival - FOLKART
24.–28. 6. 2025

Folkart, our window to the world

Folkart will once again drape our Maribor in the colors of global intangible cultural heritage and showcase traditions that preserve the passing down of ways of working, behavior, customs, beliefs, and values that are the foundation of life for each successive generation. Folklore is much more than just preserving tradition. It is belonging and respect. And culture is the foundation of the existence of every nation in the world.

That is why the Maribor Folkart is a true celebration of global traditional culture; it is our WINDOW TO THE WORLD.

We constantly repeat that Folkart is one of the most respected festivals in the folklore world, that it was the first of all such festivals in the world to be honored with UNESCO patronage, that from the very beginning it has operated under the auspices of the global organization CIOFF®, and that… We don’t emphasize enough how many nations and countries from all over the world we have already hosted in Maribor, which is one of the greatest merits and features of our festival.

Over the years, practically the whole world, except for Aborigines, Native Americans, Tuaregs, and maybe Inuit, has brought their unique stories to our doorstep. However, we have been visited by the Maori from New Zealand (three times), Polynesians from Rapa-Nui and Hawaii, Fijians and Guamanians, Indo-Mauritians and Creoles, Swazis, Hutus, Kikuyu, and Maasai, Buryats, Kabardians, Uzbeks, and Kyrgyz from Tuva, Bashkirs and Tatars, Chinese Mongols and Han, Kalmyks, warriors from Ossetia and Alania, Kazakhs, Turkish dervishes, Cossacks, Singhalese, Filipinos, most of the nations from Latin America, Central America, and the Caribbean, as well as all of Europe—north, south, east, and west.

In almost four decades, Folkart has hosted folklore groups from over 80 different countries around the world, who have amazed us and opened wide, interesting, and different horizons. This year, the heralds of world culture will come to Maribor for the 37th time in a row. This year’s Folkart will feature groups from Europe, Asia, South and Central North America.

From Northern Europe, from the Baltic Sea region, known for having more saunas than cars, comes a group from the city of Joensuu in Finland, which nurtures Karelian dances full of emotion, rhythm, and joy. From neighboring Croatia, from nearby Varaždin, a young group with an excellent tambura orchestra, which is at the very top of Croatian traditional culture, will perform. From Paraguay, a country in South America where the indigenous Guarani language is still official alongside Spanish, a group of professional dancers from San Antonio will present their traditions. From the other side of the world, from Singapore, the cleanest city in the world, comes a professional group, which is one of the key cultural forces on the dance scene of Southeast Asia. After many years, a group from the United States, located in the central part of North America, will once again visit us. Students from Mars Hill University in North Carolina are true masters of the folk dance "clogging," which is typical of the USA. From the city of Baia Mare in the Maramureș County in Romania, the land of the most famous fictional vampire, Count Dracula, comes a top professional group that has been ruling the world folklore scene for decades. Traditionally, Slovenia will be represented by our KUD members, the Maribor Academic Folklore Group Študent.

Maribor will be full of folklore, vibrant colors, and joyful faces. We will meet in the heart of the city, at Lent, during the opening and closing ceremonies at the Main Stage of the festival in Leona Štuklja Square, in the City Park, and elsewhere.

You are cordially invited!

COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN FOLKART 2025

1. FINLAND

Folklore Dance Ensemble Motora, Joensuu

The land of polar nights, where the sun shines even at night and it’s dark during the day. The land of saunas, more saunas than cars, the Northern Lights, happy people, and ancient fairy tales. Untamed Lapland wilderness. Joulupukki, our Santa Claus, lives in Rovaniemi. And the traditional Easter dessert mämmi.

Finland is a Nordic coastal country that lies at the northernmost point of all countries in the world. It has about 168,000 lakes and 179,000 islands, with the largest archipelago in the world, which includes 50,000 islands. A quarter of the country lies within the Arctic Circle, so the midnight sun can last for several days. The far north of Finland is bathed in sunlight for 73 days in the summer, while winter brings 51 days of darkness. The Finns are especially known for their love of saunas. They have more saunas than cars, and this tradition is believed to date back 7,000 years. Finland is also extremely attractive to tourists from around the world due to the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), which can be seen above the Arctic Circle from September to early April. A world-famous attraction is also Santa Claus Village in Lapland, where Santa Claus has his own office in the city of Rovaniemi, known as the Arctic capital.

The Motora group comes from the other end of Finland, from North Karelia. It was founded in 1968 and specializes in performing lively and joyful Karelian dances, though their repertoire also includes other Finnish folk dances such as quadrille, polka, and waltz. They love storytelling and bringing old folk tales to life. Motora is one of the most important folklore ensembles in Finland with over 50 years of experience. They take pride in representing Finnish folk dance in the best possible way.

Over the years, the group has achieved top positions in national dance competitions and in 2024 received the title of “Folklore Group of the Year,” which is the highest honor in Finland.

2. CROATIA

Varaždin Folklore Ensemble VFA, Varaždin

Sea, sun, and historical cities. Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, Split, and Oliver Dragojević. Nikola Tesla, Slavoljub Penkala, and Ivan Vučetić. The indigenous breed Dalmatian, the star of Disney’s animation. Paški cheese and Hvar lace made from agave fibers. The noble knights of the Sinjska Alka and donkey races in the village of Tribunj.

Our neighboring country, Croatia, has been inhabited since the Paleolithic (Krapina Neanderthals). It has a coastline of nearly 1,800 km, with around 1,200 islands, and is one of the most popular seaside holiday destinations, not just for Slovenians but also for Europeans. Of course, it is well-known who Nikola Tesla was, but less known is that Croatia is a land of great achievements that have changed the world – from Nobel Prize winners in chemistry to the flying man, fingerprinting, and the pen of Penkala, to the futuristic vision of innovator Mate Rimac. The city of Gospić is a world-famous landmark because, in terms of area, it is even larger than Berlin or Paris. What we all know best, however, are the beautiful and romantic Croatian coastal towns, which fill our hearts and souls with nostalgia and thoughts of the good old times.

The Varaždin Folklore Ensemble is one of the most successful and award-winning amateur folklore ensembles in Croatia. It was founded on the day of the city of Varaždin in December 1998, with the primary goal of musically and theatrically presenting Croatian folk dances, songs, and customs. The ensemble has 50 active members and is accompanied by an excellent tambura orchestra. Since its inception, the ensemble has been continuously present on the international cultural and folklore scene. To date, the group has participated in more than 100 different festivals and events in 22 European countries. The ensemble’s repertoire includes over 20 folklore choreographies with arrangements of songs, dances, and customs from all over Croatia, with special attention paid to the traditional culture of Northwestern Croatia and the Kajkavian dialect.

3. PARAGUAY

Folklore Group Paraguay Rekove, San Antonio

A land of friendly, happy people. Sopa paraguaya and chipas bread. The Monday Ytororõ waterfalls and the Itaipu dam, the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. The famous Ao po’i tablecloths. The Paraguayan navy without a coast, the capital Asunción, one of the oldest cities in South America, and the Jesuit missions of the Guarani people.

This landlocked country in South America lies along the banks of the Paraguay River and borders Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. Despite being one of only two landlocked countries in South America, it has beaches, ports, and access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Paraguay and Paraná rivers. The lives of its residents are tough, shaped by a harsh history since the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. After the expulsion of the Jesuits from Spanish territories, Paraguay became a peripheral colony governed by a series of authoritarian regimes, military dictatorships, and ravaged by catastrophic wars in the 19th and even 20th centuries. Nevertheless, Paraguay is a country of exceptionally friendly people who, despite difficult living conditions, are considered happy. The majority of the population is mestizo, and the Guarani culture has an incredibly strong influence.

The Paraguay Rekove group brings together professional dance enthusiasts with the main goal of spreading Paraguayan culture worldwide. All members focus on every detail and respect their national colors. They participate in the most notable global festivals, proudly showcasing the best of Paraguayan folklore. Although they do not receive financial support from the government, they have taken on the responsibility of promoting Paraguayan folk traditions across the globe. On stage, they offer a unique performance with professional artists, featuring traditional and folk dances such as Galo pera, Paraguayan polkas with bottles, and a special rural dance, Al Arriero. Their costumes are colorful and unique, perfectly in line with the image of their ancestors.

4. ROMANIA

State Folk Ensemble Transilvania, Baia Mare

A land of contrasts, hospitable people, and Count Dracula. Transfagarasan, the most beautiful and exciting road in the world. Well-maintained, modern cities. Bucharest as the “Paris of the East” and humble, poor countryside. Horse-drawn carts and castles full of artworks. Francesco Illy and Nadia Comaneci.

With the unification of the Danubian principalities of Moldova and Wallachia in 1859, the country of Romania was formed, officially named Romania in 1866. It is the largest country in Southeastern Europe. Its varied landscape stretches from the Carpathian Mountains, the Moldavian and Transylvanian plateaus, to the Pannonian Plain and Wallachian Highlands. Romania's cultural heritage is excellently preserved. The Romanian language is 1,700 years old. In the Bone Cave, the earliest fossil of Homo sapiens was discovered, estimated to be 37,800 to 42,000 years old.

People, especially in rural areas, are exceptionally friendly, hospitable, and open, although they may seem grim. This is said to be a result of many years of a harsh ruling regime under one of the cruelest European leaders, Nicolae Ceaușescu. He earned the nickname Dracula of the 20th century. Count Dracula is a major tourist attraction; thousands of tourists flock to Transylvania, full of medieval settlements, Gothic castles, and steep mountains. The fictional character of Count Dracula, created by Irish writer Bram Stoker, is the most famous vampire, and his film portrayals have brought him worldwide fame.

The State Folk Ensemble Transilvania, based in Baia Mare, Maramureș County, was established in 1959 as an institution with legal status and an independent activity program. The rich folklore heritage of the Romanian people is preserved from generation to generation in its unchanged form. The Transylvanian ensemble carries out its mission with high authenticity and dedication and has already performed on five continents. A special treasure are their costumes, which are gems of handmade folk art, with a detailed imprint of the local folk style, perfectly complementing their repertoire.

5. SINGAPUR

Sri Warisan Performing Arts Group, Singapore

A global metropolis. The Lion City, where there have never been lions. Traditional rituals and cutting-edge technology. Changi, the world’s most luxurious airport. Sentosa Island and beautiful botanical gardens. The world’s second-largest port, connecting the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea.

Singapore is simultaneously an island, a city, and a country, one of the smallest in the world. It lies in Southeast Asia, at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Once a British colony, it later joined the Malaysian Federation, and in 1965 it became an independent nation. Today, it is one of the cleanest, most organized, and safest countries in the world; it has even earned the nickname "the Asian jewel." The legislation is extremely strict, and you won’t find a single piece of paper on the ground in the city, as fines are astronomical even for a first-time offense. Singapore is the world’s largest port after Shanghai; it is connected to 600 ports in over 120 countries, which is crucial for its constant economic growth. It is also unique in combining technology and nature; more than half of the city is covered by trees, parks, and beautiful gardens, and innovations constantly emerge that blend tradition with the latest technology. The rich cultural heritage is visible at every step, as the city is full of stunning global cultural treasures.

The Sri Warisan Performing Arts Academy was founded in 1997 and is one of the central forces in the Singapore-Malay dance scene. The blending of rich traditional forms with modern techniques is their hallmark. The academy’s members are trained to present traditional arts such as dance, music, theater, and multimedia. They are dedicated to developing excellence in the performing arts, including working with children, youth, and adults. The members of the Sri Warisan group are instructors at this academy, and they showcase their rich cultural heritage around the world.

6. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Bailey Mountain Cloggers, Mars Hill, North Carolina

Dedicated patriots. McDonald's, NASA, and Hollywood. Vibrant million-person cities like the Big Apple, the Big Easy, and Sin City. Miss Liberty and four presidents carved into Mount Rushmore. The tranquil beauty of North Carolina, with the highest mountains on the East Coast and 300 miles of stunning coastline.

It is one of the largest countries in the world, made up of 50 states, stretching between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It shares the longest border with Canada, making it the longest international border in the world. Its history dates back 15,000 years, when peoples from Asia crossed the Bering Strait. Before the arrival of settlers, the only inhabitants were the indigenous peoples, until in the 15th century, Christopher Columbus, on his way to India, stumbled upon an unknown continent. Shortly after, Amerigo Vespucci confirmed the discovery of a new continent, and the name "America," coined in the early 16th century, was dedicated to him. This discovery marked a turning point of catastrophic proportions for Native Americans, but on the other hand, it began an era of powerful dominance, development, and progress. The United States is a land of immigrants who established a new culture. Today, America is a superpower whose influence impacts the entire world.

The Bailey Mountain Cloggers are from North Carolina. They were founded in 1974 at Mars Hill University and have been state champions of American folk dance "clogging," a form of step dancing, 31 times. These traditional dances mixed with the Cherokee Indian style of foot-tapping to the rhythm of music. The Bailey Mountain Cloggers perform a wide range of these dances, from traditional to the most contemporary versions. Their dances are a lively blend of Irish, Scottish, Cherokee Indian, and African cultures.

Members of this student group are true ambassadors of goodwill and the folk dance traditions of the Southern mountains.

They have performed all across the United States and participated in festivals in more than 20 countries worldwide.

Energetic, heartwarming, excellent dancers with banjos, guitars, violins... folkloric fun is guaranteed!

7. SLOVENIA

"Academic Folklore Group Študent," Maribor

The oldest vine in the world. The Alps, the sea, underground caves. The human fish and the Carniolan bee, the native Slovenian honeybee. The Karst shepherd dog, the bear, and the lynx. Kurenti, Martin Krpan, and Zeleni Jurij. Dončić, Pogačar, and the Prevc family. Potica and the accordion, Prešeren's poetry, and Zdravljica.

Slovenia lies in the sunny side of the Alps, where the Pannonian Plain, the Dinaric Karst world, the Alps, and the Mediterranean meet, in the southern part of Central Europe. It is a small yet incredibly interesting country. Forests cover 60% of its territory, and it boasts a rich underground world, with more than 12,000 caves. Slovenia is one of the leading European countries in beekeeping. Its exceptional biodiversity places Slovenia among the most naturally rich regions in Europe and the world, with over 20,000 different species of plants and animals. Slovenia is also home to a 60,000-year-old bone flute made from a bear's bone, the oldest musical instrument in the world. Slovenia is known as a green, beautiful, and clean country, inhabited by friendly people. Its rich and unique cuisine delights visitors from all over the world. It is the homeland of exceptional athletes who represent their country in the best possible way around the world.

The Academic Folklore Group Študent from Maribor, our "Kudovci," regularly represents our green country at Folkart. They are one of the leading folklore groups in Slovenia, showcasing traditional dances and customs from all Slovenian regions. For their dedicated and excellent work, the group has received the highest and most prestigious national awards, including the Gold Plaque of the ZKO Maribor and the prestigious Gold Marolt Plaque, which is the highest possible recognition for folklore activity in Slovenia.

At Folkart, they are not just performers – without their help, Folkart would not exist. They are one of the key factors in organizing the festival, with love and loyalty passed down from generation to generation.

As such, they have the honor of starting and ending the Folkart festival each year.

Tickets: 5 € for a seat (until June 19) / 10 € for a seat (from June 20);
for students and high school students: 5 € discount on each ticket.

Discounts cannot be combined.
More information on benefits and ticket purchase.

The event will take place regardless of the weather. To ensure a comfortable experience for all visitors and good visibility of the stage, the opening of umbrellas is not allowed at the venue. We recommend appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather.