Text by: Diana Šimurina-Šoufek; Photos by: Snježana Radoš
The homeland tour of the Canadian parish folklore ensemble Sljeme, from June 30th to July 10th, kicked off with a visit to Croatian Heritage Foundation headquarters. The young folklorists were warmly greeted by Srebrenka Šeravić, the head of the department for culture and by CHF Director Katarina Fuček. The ensemble travels to Osijek today, after which they have a July 2nd meeting set up with the Šumari and an appearance at the Vinkovci theatre house. The crowning event of the tour will be an appearance at the Vezovi festival in the town of Đakovo on July 4th. The ensemble will have opportunities between appearances to get to know Our Beautiful Homeland better. In Polača they are expected by the local Gradina ensemble, with whom they will stage a joint concert on July 8th. The young Croatian Canadians will visit the Plitvice Lakes, Šibenik, Split, the Kornati islands, the Krka river waterfalls and much more. The members of the Sljeme ensemble, 43-strong, led by President Sonia Balent, Artistic Director Jeanne Valetić, instructors Branko Cetinjanin, Aleksandar Ćosić and Jasminom Vojnić, will do their best to make this summer an unforgettable one, for them and for their hosts. Singing and dancing Croatian folk dances will be the Čuljac's, Babić's, Bukvić's, Kalić's, Kelava's and other young people from Mississauga. Eleven days in the old country will go by quickly, and the CHF will be ready and happy to provide its competent services again for future tours. Perhaps in the coming year.
