SNF SERBIAN FOLKLORE FEDERATION FESTIVAL: A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER!

Congratulations and a big HVALA! is extended to the Milwaukee committee for an outstanding job in hosting the First Annual Festival of the SNF Serbian Folklore Federation. This exciting weekend will be one that will go down in the history books of the Serb National Federation and its newly formed Folklore Federation.

It all started on Friday, October 19, 2001. Many of the groups traveled during the day and began to arrive at the hotels in the late afternoon. The early arrival enabled everyone to get unpacked and prepare for the weekend that was about to unfold. Many of the participants selected to explore the area around the hotels and have a bite to eat at the local eateries, while others chose to take a swim in the indoor pool of the Radisson Hotel. Then of course, there were the adults who decided to take a quick nap so that they could get a head start on trying to keep up with the kids the rest of the weekend.

As the evening hours approached, people began to congregate at St. Sava Cultural Center. Members from the Sumadija Serbian Folk Dance Ensemble of Milwaukee were on hand to welcome visitors. Many of them were outside waiting for the shuttle bus that was transporting out-of-towners to arrive. As the buses unloaded, our young hosts were very warm and hospitable. They truly were excited to roll out the red carpet and give a sampling of good old Serbian hospitality.

As the guests entered the hall, the aroma of Serbian food was so overbearing that everyone seemed to head right for the kitchen. The kitchen committee, headed by David Curro and Nada Brankov, was eagerly waiting to serve their guests. The food was delicious! The menu provided Serbian favorites such as cevapcici, burek, and much more! If that wasn’t enough, you should have seen the sweet table! Everything looked so delicious that it was hard to make a decision!

The very talented Sloboda Orchestra of Milwaukee played everyone’s favorite Kolos. Both young and old had a great time dancing, singing, and creating new friendships. Also on Friday evening, Dragan Kovacevic, the Folklore Federation’s Executive Director, held a short workshop with the choreographers who were present. This workshop was very educational and informative. Dragan provided an extensive list of Serbian dances that are available on CD to all the choreographers who are associated with the Folklore Federation. Dragan discussed the ethnographic zones of the Former Yugoslavia, and also gave ideas and suggestions on how he could be helpful and provide support to member ensembles when needed. This was a very enjoyable and productive meeting, and it gave the choreographers an opportunity to meet one another so that a network between them could be established.

Early Saturday morning, the Folklore Federation executive board and representatives from the various ensembles conducted their first annual meeting. Many important items from the agenda were addressed including election of officers, plans for the 2002 Festival, membership, and much more. Elected to the Executive Board were: Michael Malich, president; Donna Vranesevic, 1st vice president; Janet Pribanic, 2nd vice president; Linda Jovanovich, treasurer; and Tanja Kajgo, secretary. Congratulations to our newly elected officers. A special thanks you to Dan Jovanovich and Nancy Belich who served our federation for one year as executive board members. Your assistance and dedication will not be forgotten.

At 10:00 AM, the ensembles arrived at the impressive Pitman Theater of Alverno College. This beautiful theater provided the perfect atmosphere for a quality concert. Michael Malich, our federation president, welcomed everyone and worked with the ensembles to prepare for the program. Each participating ensemble had the opportunity to practice on stage, while the professional stage and sound crew made adjustments that were unique to each group. This special attention made each ensemble’s performance the best that it could be, and it enabled everyone to take their production to a higher level. The performers, especially the very young ones, were excited to perform in such a grand theater.

At 2:00 PM, all performers gathered to work with Dragan Kovacevic. Dragan worked with the participants to create the finale for the first annual festival performance. We already knew that Dragan is very knowledgeable when it comes to our culture, but we were very impressed with his patience when every participant convened on the stage at once. It was refreshing to see the control that he had. Everything went smoothly and in no time the finale was in place and ready to roll.

At 4:00 PM, the show began. Father Radomir Cutilo, SNF 3RD Vice President Lubisa Milicich, Folklore Federation President Michael Malich, and Sumadija Serbian Folk Dance Ensemble President Branislav Brankov provided welcoming remarks. Our beautiful Mistress of Ceremony was Mrs. Milka Dimitrijevic. The program was as follows:

1) Jedinstvo Serbian Tamburitzans – Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral: Pittsburgh, PA

2) Frula Serbian Folklore Group – St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church: Merrillville, IN

3) Ensemble Srbadija – St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church: McKeesport, PA

4) St. Sava Junior Dancers – St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral: Milwaukee, WI

5) Tromedja Serbian Folklore Group – St. George Serbian Orthodox Church: Schererville, IN

INTERMISSION

6) St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Tamburitzans – St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church: Monroeville, PA

7) Morava Serbian Folklore Group – Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church: Minneapolis, MN

8) Srbija Folklore Group – St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral: Cleveland, OH

9) Sumadija Serbian Folk Dance Ensemble – St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral: Milwaukee, WI

11) Finale – Moravac: All Ensembles

Each of these ensembles presented a very entertaining and unforgettable performance. After all the ensembles performed, President Michael Malich introduced the directors and choreographers of each ensemble. These people were brought on to stage and were presented with beautiful plaques. Michael stressed how grateful our federation and its officers are to these ensembles because someday they will be remembered as the pioneers of this endeavor.

After the presentations, the curtain opened for the grand finale. This was truly a spectacular sight to see! The stage was completely filled with 200+ dancers adorned in beautiful costumes from various areas of Serbia. As the music began and everyone started dancing Moravac Kolo in unison. The audience rose to their feet without hesitation and began to clap vigorously. This show was unique. It was not a competition, but an event to perpetuate our colorful folklore. The performers ranged in ages 4 to 30 possessing different abilities and talents, but they shared one common bond: their love of our Serbian heritage. This love was shown in the faces of the dancers and in the eyes of spectators. There was not a dry eye in the audience!

After this show of shows, everyone gathered at the St. Sava Cultural Center once again. Delicious Serbian dinners were served, and the ever-popular Mladost Orchestra of Chicago provided music for dancing. Everyone danced the night away and enjoyed celebrating the SERBIAN WAY.

On Sunday, Father Dragan Veleusic performed Divine Liturgy in the beautiful St. Sava Cathedral. After liturgy, everyone exchanged addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, said their dovidjenjas, and headed for home. What a beautiful weekend! This one will be remembered forever, thanks to our beautiful hosts from Milwaukee. Thank you to Michael Malich, Nada Brankov, Joan Sokolowski, Branislav Brankov, Vicki Stojsavljevic, and all of the committee heads that made this weekend so memorable!

This newly formed federation is in its beginning stages, but we are proud to announce that it is growing rapidly. Currently there are 14 member ensembles, and in the very near future we will be announcing a few new member ensembles who have joined our federation. Many exciting things will be coming your way in the next few months (i.e. web page, announcement of the 2002 Festival site, special workshops for choreographers, and much more!).

It is thrilling to see that in this new millennium our Serbian youth is uniting in music, song, and dance to preserve the beautiful and unique culture of their forefathers. This group of performers, directors, choreographers, and parents are working hard to create a network that will strengthen the bonds of Serbian people everywhere and preserve the culture that is near and dear to our hearts.

For more information concerning the SNF Folklore Federation please Contact Folklore Federation Executive Director Dragan Kovacevic at culture@serbnatlfed.org or 412-642-SERB.