South Slavic ballroom culture has a decades-old tradition in our country, which may be an unknown world for many, although the moody melodies are transmitted to several age groups. In the latest video from the Csoóri series, we can get to know the South Slavic ballroom in Kolo up close.
There are 13 legally recognized nationalities living in Hungary, including Serbs, Croats and Slovenes who make up the South Slavic community. The main goal of the Kolo Ensemble, founded in 1976, is to collect, process and present the traditions of Hungarian South Slavic folk music. The ensemble also deals with the music of the countries of origin, the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, and the folk music of other southern peoples, such as Bulgarians and Greeks. For 25 years, a dance hall has been held every Wednesday in the Ferencváros Cultural Center, but they have also been performing monthly in Tokol for decades.
“Kolo means the round dance of the South Slavic peoples. The big advantage is that it is not tied to a pair, so everyone can join freely. A lot of relationships are born in the dance hall. The more people come, the more joy I get. The fiery and moody music will attract many young people,” says Laszlo Halasz, the organizer of the South Slavic dance hall, a member of the Kolo band, with whose help we gain insight into this special subculture.
The programmes are implemented with the support of the Sándor Csoóri Fund.
