The 42nd International Folklore Festival

Between the 16th and the 20th of July the International Folklore Festival, which was first held in 1966, will once again take place in Zagreb. This festival features presentations of authentic folklore customs from all parts of Croatia, in addition to many other cultures from countries all over the world.

Traditionally in Zagreb the month of July is reserved for folklore groups who descend upon the city to present the authentic customs of all regions within Croatia in addition to numerous other countries from all over the world. The International Folklore Festival has been organized every year since 1966 and, apart from the staple musical and stage performances, the festival’s program also includes various accompanying events such as exhibitions, workshops, conferences, presentations, etc.

This year, numerous domestic and foreign folklore groups will present the traditional customs of their lands through song and dance. As a result Zagreb’s main square and the streets of the Upper Town will subsequently come alive with the vibrantly colorful traditional-wear of the various folklore representatives.

The International Folklore Festival will take place between the 16th and the 20th of July and it will have two main topics; the first dedicated to spoken folklore forms, the other themed around folklore traditions of the Gorski Kotar region. The first program, entitled “Speaking and Singing in Croatian”, will accentuate dialects and local vernaculars through various toasts, wedding speeches, and traditional speaking ceremonies.

The 42nd annual International Folklore Festival will feature an ethnographic exhibition and concerts of world music, in addition to singing by popular church choirs from four parishes of the Gorski Kotar region in a concert that will be held at the Church of St. Catherine in the Upper Town on the 20th July.