The 18th International Children’s Folklore Festival Licider Heart has been officially opened in Užice, where around 1,200 children from 14 countries will participate until 19 August including participants from the Republic of Srpska.

The festival is being held under the slogan Coming of Age of the Heart, in Užice, Zlatibor and Višegrad. The first day’s program began at 10:00 with a ceremonial reception of ensemble representatives at the City Hall. At 19:30, a ceremonial parade of participants was held, and at 20:30, the festival was officially opened at Trg Partizana with a concert featuring performances by cultural and artistic societies.

At the reception, the Deputy Mayor of Užice, Radojko Radosavljević, welcomed the young folklorists and said that the festival had been connecting young people from Serbia and the world for 18 years. ‘May the Licider Heart once again be a place where new friendships are created and the most beautiful message sent – that differences do not separate us, but connect us,’ said Radosavljević. The President of the Organizing Committee, Ivana Cvetković, stated at the reception that the hosts were looking forward to getting to know the cultures of other peoples and presenting their cultural heritage.

The Republic of Srpska is represented by the cultural and artistic societies Soko HED from Višegrad, Most from Bratunac and Alat from Trebinje. Artistic director of the Soko HED CAS Danijela Šućur thanked the organizers for making Višegrad one of the festival locations, noting that the diversity of groups, costumes and dances made the program attractive to the audience.

The organizer is the Era Citizens’ Association from Užice, and the co-organizers are Užice City Administration, Republic of Srpska Representation in Serbia and Čajetina Municipal Administration. The program in Višegrad will be held on 17 August: reception for ensemble representatives at 17:30, parade at 18:30 and festival concert at the stadium near Andrićgrad at 19:00.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Serbia