On 15 August 2022, the 14th International Children’s Folk Dance Festival Licider Heart was ceremoniously opened in Užice, and by Friday, 19 August, it will gather in Užice, Zlatibor and Višegrad around 1,000 participants from 11 countries, including three folk dance ensembles from the Republic of Srpska.

During five days, children from Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Greece, Slovenia, Republic of Srpska /BiH/ and Serbia aged 10 to 16 will participate in the festival and present their folk costumes, customs and dances.

The Republic of Srpska is represented at the festival by cultural and artistic societies from Foča, Višegrad and Pale.

Welcoming the visitors at Partizan Square, Borislav Maksimović, associate for culture at the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Serbia, noted that for more than a decade as a co-organizer, this representative office had been helping the festival of children’s joy and world culture, as a great event that promotes Serbian culture, customs and tradition.
– This festival is a true example of how the ties between the Serbian people on both sides of the Drina should work – said Maksimović.

He added that it was of particular importance that the participants would have the opportunity to become acquainted with the Republic of Srpska.
– Traditional dances of the Republic of Srpska will be presented by children from three cities – Pale, Foča and Višegrad, who we believe will best promote Serbian culture and tradition together with children from our Serbia – said Maksimović.

He said that this festival celebrated the merger of youth and tradition, which is always a good opportunity for the children of Serbia and Republic of Srpska to learn about customs and dances from around the world, as well as for guests to learn about Serbian customs and dances.

Maksimović wished the young participants of this year’s Serbian and world Licider Heart prowess in dancing and joy in socializing, and to take the best and most beautiful impressions from Serbia and Republic of Srpska with them.

The mayor of Užice, Jelena Raković Radivojević, pointed out that the Licider Heart folk dance festival brought the spirit of tradition and folklore heritage of the entire planet and brought together young people.
– Young people need many more such gatherings, because it is the best way to meet peers from other countries based on personal experience and to build new friendships through song and dance, which erase borders and prejudices – Radivojević said.

On behalf of the organizing committee, Ivana Cvetković greeted the present citizens and children, noting that this festival spread love and friendship, brought nations together, opened horizons and filled the soul.

Beforehand, folklore ensembles paraded through the city of Užice, and the festival opened with the performance of the host folk dance ensemble Era from Užice.

On Thursday, 18 August, for the 11th time Višegrad will host this event which promotes diversity of folk costumes, tradition, culture and customs.

The Licider Heart festival offers a number of other experiences, a folk dance and pottery workshop, an exhibition of folk costumes, a visit to attractive locations, a humanitarian action.

The festival is organized by the Citizens’ Association ERA from Užice, under the auspices of the President of Serbia, and co-organized by the city of Užice, the Republic of Srpska Representation in Serbia, the Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region, and Zlatibor Tourism Organization, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information and Ministry of Justice of the Government of the Republic Serbia.

Since 2009, when it was organized for the first time, the festival has seen participation of around 11,000 children from 40 countries from five continents – Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Serbia