Children’s folklore vocal and dance ensemble “Khikhani” from Batumi, Georgia is the new Absolute European champion of folklore “Euro folk 2016. The dynamic and preformed with grace Georgian dances convinced the jury to their final decision. Omar Kurava triumphed with both the Grand Prix Golden “Orpheus” and the golden medal of the championship. The formation also was given a check on amount of 1000 Euro, provided by the organizers.
Absolute vice-champion of folklore 2016, silver medal of the Championship and a Silver “Orpheus” were earned by the performers from Choreographic ensemble “Kokler” from the Ministry of culture and tourism, Izmir, Turkey with director Nataliya Ulutash, which was an honorable member of the jury.
The bronze medal of the championship and the Bronze “Orpheus” in the European rank list 2016 was won by Folklore ensemble “Zvezditza Yasnogreinitza” from community center “Vasil Levski - 1925” , village of Elshitsa, municipality Panagyurishte, region of Pazardzhik, with art director Veselina Gizdova. The formation was acknowledged because of the performance of the tradition “During Sirni Zagoveszni”.
Besides of the three final winners the Jury of the Championship gave 4 more nominations for the Grand Prix during the contest and awarded the participants with special prizes: Lili Tian from Erevan, Armenia - for complex presentation; Dance Ensemble "Horishtentsi" from Harmanli, Haskovo region - special award of Eurofolk Tv /the main media partner of the event/; Dance group "Balgarche" from Chelopech village, region of Sofia - for performance quality; Folk Club for folklore dances "Valdance Pobeda" from Veliko Tarnovo - special prize of EAFF.
The 6-years-old Arina Mamuladze from "Khikhani" Ensemble, Batumi, Georgia received diploma for "The youngest participant".
According to the Championship regulation the nominated groups took part in second selection where the final winners were defined. Voting took place on 3 criteria - complexity and quality of the performances, vision and stage behavior. Evaluation system created by the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF was used.
Tens of groups and individual performers received golden, silver and bronze medals, laureate distinctions, diplomas for continuity between generations in the name of Iliyan Nikolov - the founder of "Musical Feasts" and recommendations for participation in the World Championship of Folklore. All groups involved in the European Championship of the folklore "Euro Folk" and received points for rating in the World rating list of folklore. The points depend on the level of performance of each group and the awards given. This gives an incentive for quality performance of the musical folklore art.
The eight edition of the championship "Euro folk" was officially closed by the president of EAFF - Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov, who reminded that the European Championship of Folklore has begun of the championship system of the European Association and the World Association of Folklore Festivals.
"I am happy that this initiative has gained immense popularity and already has organized championships at different levels - National, Balkan, European, World. Many countries have begun conducting their own national championships and I hope that in the near future we will see the best of all countries at the World Championship." said in his closing address to the participants and guests of the Forum the President of EAFF.
He received gratitude plaques from the Georgian and Turkish participants. In the end of the championship they all made a big chain-dance and once again showed that art and culture has no boundaries.