Author:  Ivana Stepanovic
Place: Serbia
Date: 29th January, 2009

‘KOLO’, the Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs has maintained the tradition of Serbian folk music and dance for over 60 years. The Kolo dance can be regarded as a trademark of Serbian culture and holds considerable social significance, being customary at weddings and other major celebrations. The Ensemble chose the name to demonstrate the socio-cultural importance of this form of dance. Traditionally, the dancers form a circle, holding hands, which may appear to be similar to a kind of magical ritual. They turn their backs on the outside world, shielding themselves against evil spells. The performance of the dance is thought to facilitate happiness, welfare, fertility, and a good harvest.

Apart from Serbia, people dance Kolo in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia. Each country has its own dancing style and steps vary from the region, so even the most experienced dancers cannot master all variations. Kolo can be open and closed, as well as symmetric and asymmetric. The number of dancers can range greatly from 3 up to several dozens. Kolo used to be danced outdoors and usually in special occasions, such as at a wedding or a party to say good-bye to young men joining the army. The dance is accompanied by instrumental two-beat music with the same name, most often an accordion, frula (traditional kind of a recorder) or tamburica. This dance was probably influenced by Celtic tribes. The most impressive form of Kolo is when one group of dancers stands on the shoulders of a second group. In Serbia, Kolo is very popular and there are various choreographies. The most famous are ‘Užicko Kolo’, ‘Vranjansko Kolo’ and Moravac’. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kolo is popular among Bosnian Serbs, while in Slovenia it is danced only in Bela Krajina, a region in the south of the country.

The Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs was established in May 1948. In 1950, the Ensemble had its first tour abroad in Switzerland. Three years later, the members of the group came up with a new name – ‘KOLO’.

The main aim of the Ensemble is to collect and adapt features of musical heritage, projecting the tradition. It presents kolo dances and songs in an artistic manner and promotes them authentically, both domestically and abroad. Traditional and ambiance are an important aspect of the performance.

The basic principle of the Ensemble is to maintain authenticity. The choreographers get their ideas by visiting Serbian villages and towns and by watching and analysing steps and dances. They adapt slightly the steps, without changing the original style. The number of choreographies is not limited since the Ensemble constantly enriches its repertoire.

The Ensemble owns a rich collection of traditional folk dresses. Some of them date back from the late 19th century and are a national treasure. In this regard, ‘KOLO’ is often referred to have a transferable museum.

The goal of the Ensemble is to inform young people about traditional values and protect their cultural heritage. Each year the management of the Ensemble recruits new young musicians and dancers who continue the tradition. The group has been successful in encouraging young people to appreciate folk music.

The young, eighteen-year-old actress Mirka Vasiljevic is one of the famous promoters of folk dances. Having taken the lead role in Srdjan Dragojevic’s film ‘We are not angels 2’, she has gained the respect of a younger audience. She has been dancing in the folk ensemble for 10 years, attracting a lot of interest from her peers and encouraging them to follow in her footsteps.
    
The associates of the Ensemble, such as Olga Skovran and Milorad Miškovic, are among the best known choreographers in Serbia. Also the musicians, composers and conductors like Stevan Hristic or Dušan Skovran, are well-known in the country. ‘Kolo’ has toured on all continents, hosted over 5,000 concerts with over 10,000,000 visitors, and performed at some of the most prestigious concert halls including the Metropolitan, Carnegie Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Opera House in Cologne, Theatre Fenice, Bolshoi Theatre, Opera House in Amsterdam, and Cambridge Theatre.

This organisation has created a unique way of communicating a universal language for every person, regardless of their race, religion, language and culture. What the Ensemble aims for is to bring people together just as they do while dancing Kolo. Therefore, ‘KOLO’ is the guardian and the ambassador of Serbian folk art.