Zagreb, Centre of Traditional Culture: the 51st International Folklore Festival

The 51st International Folklore Festival (IFF) in Zagreb, 19 - 23 July, will once again affirm traditional culture by presenting the folklore of a host of Croatian and international participants.

The 51st IFF will take place over five days of stage performances, workshops, concerts of ethnic music, folk sacred singing and exhibitions. As well on as the stage on Zagreb's main square folklore groups will be performing at the famous IFF stage at Gradec as well as at locations outside of the capital.

The specially themed programme will encompass the ethnographic heritage of the Banovina and Pounje, regions with their unique ways of singing and dancing, unique customs and handcrafts, very diverse and very rich, and until now very little known to the Croatian public. As well as groups from Banovina and Pounje performances from folklore groups and individuals representing the diversity of Croatian ethnographic heritage are planned, as well as from minority nationalities, Croatians from neighbouring countries and emigrant communities, in total about 30 ensembles. An additional ten or so ensembles will be presenting the heritage of other nations and cultures.

The International Folklore Festival in modern Croatia is becoming part of a global movement to preserve the cultural heritage of mankind led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In 2014 the Festival was proclaimed a festival of national importance by the Croatian Ministry of Culture and the City of Zagreb.