Today in Belgrade, the Tourist Organization of Serbia presented a promotional video and officially announced the 14th International Children’s Folk Dance Festival Licider Heart, which will gather around 1,000 participants from 12 countries, including three folk dance ensembles from the Republic of Srpska, from 15 to 19 August in Užice, Zlatibor and Višegrad.

Ivana Cvetković from the Organizing Committee said that the festival, which so far had gathered around 11,000 participants from 40 countries, wanted to continue growing and that Užice, Zlatibor and Višegrad were awaiting as hosts the young people to demonstrate their skills and the richness of their heritage.

Cvetković stated that the festival, to be officially opened on 15 August in Užice, offered a number of other experiences in addition to the folk dance, such as a folk dance and pottery workshop, an exhibition of folk costumes, a visit to attractive locations, a humanitarian action.

Borislav Maksimović from the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Serbia, which has been helping the Festival as a co-organizer for more than a decade, said that this event was a true example of how the ties between the Serbian people on both sides of the Drina should work.

Maksimović stated that traditional dances from the Republic of Srpska would be presented at the festival by young folk dancers from three cities - Pale, Foča and Višegrad, and emphasized his belief that together with the children from Serbia they would best promote Serbian culture and tradition.

Jovana Borovčanin-Ćurević from the municipality of Višegrad expressed satisfaction with the fact that this city was hosting this event for the eleventh time, with the task to connect youth, promote culture, but also preserve national identity.

‘I believe that our guests will enjoy themselves and leave Višegrad with nice memories’, she said and invited everyone to come to Višegrad on 18 August and enjoy.

Source and photo: Representation of the Republic of Srpska in Serbia