Between July 6 and July 10, 2026, our dance ensemble set out once again on a journey to the next festival. This year, the trip took us to Zvolen, Slovakia, where—as a German group in a folklore tradition otherwise largely influenced by Slavic cultures—we were among the “most exotic” participants. In addition to performances at the theater and in the town square, where we delighted audiences of all ages, we celebrated folklore late into the night at the lodging we shared with the other groups—dancing, singing, and listening to the sounds of the pan flute.…
After arriving on Monday, we had several performances in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday, one of which was also our competition entry. A dance selected from these performances (contrary to what the program booklet stated, this was not the “Dance of the Weavers,” but rather “Ask the Oracles”) was presented at a gala concert held on Thursday evening to conclude the event, alongside one production from each of the other groups. For many, it will remain an unforgettable evening.
In addition to dance activities, there were parties in the hallways of our lodging and enthusiastic people shouting in the elevators. The city’s ice cream sales were likely boosted by the TUTEs’ presence, and it’s possible that someone got locked in the supermarket at night… 🙂 During a group outing, we were able to enjoy breathtaking views and explore adventurous hiking trails.
We look back on a thoroughly successful and exciting festival and are already looking forward to the next one! See you soon!
Written by Laura Helene Seifert, a dancer of the folklore dance ensemble „Thea Maass“ of TU Dresden