Public Statement

47th Jurjevanje in Bela krajina, The oldest folkloric festival in Slovenia, Črnomelj, 16.-20. June 2010

Črnomelj, 10 January 2010

Jurjevanje in Bela krajina is the oldest folklore festival in Slovenia. The people of Bela krajina have been proudly and happily organising this holiday of folklore and cultural heritage since 1964. Since 2006, the festival has been a member of CIOFF, the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art. Each year, the event which takes place in Jurjevanjska draga, a natural amphitheatre surrounded by birch trees, is attended by about twenty-five adult and children folklore groups from Bela Krajina, Slovenia, and entire Europe. Quality and extensive programme accompanying the festival consists of the morning and afternoon ethnic-cultural programme. Tamboura concerts, performances of folk singers and musicians, hand craft and flower market, educational and creative workshops, art and photographic exhibitions, and other accompanying programme will allow each visitor to indulge a unique cultural experience.Traditional cuisine and exquisite wines will only enhance the mood of several thousands of visitors. We are also hosting the final gathering of adult folklore groups from Slovenia "Le plesat me pelji" ("Just take me dancing"), where our visitors will be able to enjoy in the performances of the best folklore groups from Slovenia. The evening cultural and entertainment programme, including dancing, will last till early morning hours. Parallel to the event, we have also prepared "Jurjev tek" ("Jurij's Run") - recreational marathon around Črnomelj and its surroundings, "Goni kolo" ("Ride a Bike") - a family cycling tour around Bela Krajina and the Croatian municipalities winding along the river Kolpa, and "Pastirče mlado" ("Shepherd Young") - international gathering of children's folklore groups.

All additional information on the oldest folklore festival in Slovenia, Jurjevanje in Bela krajina, can be obtained on the festival's official website www.jurjevanje.si.

Thus the people of Bela Krajina call to you... Hie! Hie to us to Jurjevanje!