The St. Sava Children’s Choir brought together music, folklore, poetry and film, while the screening of the film Rebel in Belgrade put Cleveland (Ohio, USA) on its US tour map. The spirit of Serbian culture, tradition and unity came alive at the Serbian Heritage Festival, held in the St. Sava Church hall. The festival was organized and hosted by the St. Sava Children’s Choir under the artistic direction of Nada Martinović, PhD, as part of the celebration of the Ohio Eastern European Heritage Month and the end of another successful choir season.

‘I am very pleased that we managed to unite different forms of artistic expression: film, music, folklore, exhibition, as well as the written and spoken word, and use them to show the richness and breadth of our cultural heritage, and the way it lives and is transmitted, especially through work with children,’ said Nada Martinović, artistic director of the choir and Festival organizer.

The distinguished guests included Laurel Tombazzi, founder and president of the Eastern European Congress of Ohio, whose presence further emphasized the importance of this cultural event.

Ensemble Morava’s youngest folklore groups also performed on stage, under the leadership of teachers Gordana Kovčić and Mirjana Vidaković, with their playful performances showcasing successful transmission of tradition to the youngest generations. The literary segment of the program was completed by the poet Sandra Zečević, who shared with the audience her personal reflection on the significance of such events. In addition to the stage program, visitors had the opportunity to see a cultural exhibition of Barbies dressed in Serbian folk costumes (which Danica Martinović has been dressing with her skillful hands for years), which presented the wealth of regional tradition and folk art. The festival was also an opportunity for community gathering, bringing together families, friends and culture lovers in a warm and festive atmosphere.

After the concert, the program continued with screening of the film Rebel in Belgrade, directed by Milan Todorović, as part of its US tour. Before the screening, the audience had a unique opportunity to make direct contact with the authors of the film, including actor Todor Jovanović, through a conversation and exchange of impressions. The Serbian Heritage Festival was much more than just an event – it was a comprehensive cultural experience that brought together music, dance, poetry, visual arts and film.

Source and photo: Radio Television of Serbia – Nada Martinović