The International Children’s Folklore Festival Licider Heart, where children’s folklore ensembles from the Republic of Srpska also participate, was officially opened tonight in Užice.

The festival is being held under the auspices of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and it will last until 19 August in Užice, Zlatibor and Višegrad.

There is about 700 participants aged 10 to 16 from Serbia, Republic of Srpska, Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Egypt, Moldova, Georgia.

From the Republic of Srpska, children from Prijedor, Bratunac and Višegrad will participate in the festival.

On behalf of one of the co-organizers of this festival – the Representative Office of the Republic of Srpska in Serbia, the gathered were greeted by an expert associate in this representation, Borislav Maksimović, who pointed out that they had been supporting the festival for more than a decade.

– It is a good example of the constant functioning of ties between the Serbian people on both sides of the Drina, as it is a good example of dedication, effort and knowledge of inhabitants of Užice who manage to organize such a large international festival in compliance with all the rules of the profession at a time when the whole world is still fighting the pandemic – said Maksimović.

He noted that these days Užice, Zlatibor and Višegrad were celebrating a combination of youth, tradition and dance, which is always a great opportunity for children from Serbia and Republic of Srpska to learn about the customs and dances from around the world and for children from around the world to learn about Serbian customs and dances.

Maksimović believes that the children together will best present Serbian culture and tradition to the world, and he noted that all participants of the Festival contributed to the preservation of their tradition and national identity, and were learning new things in meeting others.

– Youth is the future of every country and we must provide best possible conditions for their growing up so that they can grow into good and hardworking people – said Maksimović and wished the participants to take with them the best and most beautiful impressions from Serbia and Republic of Srpska.

The participants in the event were also greeted by the mayor Jelena Raković Radivojević, on behalf of the organizer Era Association by Ivana Cvetković, and by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Serbia Oleksandr Aleksandrovič.

The festival is organized by the Association of Citizens Era from Užice, and co-organized by the City of Užice, Representative Office of the Republic of Srpska in Serbia, and Zlatibor Tourism Organization. It is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information and Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region.

In addition to the folklore program, the festival is accompanied by numerous other events – exhibitions, seminars, folklore playrooms, tours, environmental and other workshops. The ceremonial opening on Partizan Square at 8 pm was preceded by a parade of folklore ensembles.

After the opening ceremony, a concert by Željko Vasić will be held on the Square.

Source: RTRS

Photo: Instagram era_liciderskosrce