The “Moravac” Folk Dance Ensemble from Chicago celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala performance in front of a packed auditorium at Hinsdale High School. The grand jubilee was marked by the performance “Migratory Bird,” choreographed by “Moravac’s” Andjela Đokić.
This multimedia piece symbolically depicts, through the journey of a little bird across Serbia and the Balkans, and wherever Serbs live, all the beauty of culture and tradition, but also the fate of a people who have been forced to migrate throughout history, sometimes due to historical circumstances, and sometimes in search of a better life.
All generations of folk dancers participated in the performance, from the youngest, who are just learning their first steps, to those who are no longer part of “Moravac” but came together for this special occasion, which on stage, and in the audience, alternately evoked laughter and tears of joy from proud parents, grandparents, and other relatives.
It is worth noting that other Serbian folk dance groups from the region, Oko sokolovo, Oplenac, Dukati i biseri, and Božur, also participated and contributed to the “Moravac” anniversary performance, which is a wonderful example of cooperation among our cultural enthusiasts in the diaspora.
The thunderous applause that often interrupted the performance, as well as the standing ovation at the end, which lasted until the last folk dancer bowed to the audience, testify to how well everyone succeeded in worthily marking the anniversary and, at the same time, immortalizing the essential values of the Serbian people on stage.
Andjela Đokić, the author of the performance, was very satisfied with the performance of her students and the reactions of all those who came to support “Moravac.”
“I wanted to show through the performance all the richness of our tradition, the different dances, songs, and costumes that people who belong to one Serbian people play, sing, and wear in various parts of the Balkans. Also, I intended for these children to realize that, wherever life takes them, and it has taken us far, even to another continent, we carry within us and should cherish what our ancestors left us,” emphasized Andjela Đokić.
Father Nemanja Tešić, under whose church and parish of Saint Nicholas the “Moravac” Folk Dance Ensemble lives and works, was happy about the jubilee and what the youngest parishioners showed on stage.
“I am happy that we have so many children in the parish who, in this way, through socializing, preserve their language, tradition, and culture, as the most important part of every nation. It is up to us, together with their parents and the people who lead ‘Moravac,’ to help them become good people who will be aware of their origin and the Orthodox faith that has helped them throughout the centuries to preserve the memory of their ancestors and the valuable heritage that they have left to them.”
Miloš Petković, the president of “Moravac,” is one of those who has personally experienced the fate of the migratory bird from the jubilee performance. From Kosovo and Metohija, where he was born and raised, through Belgrade, to Chicago, he has been led on a path filled with countless trials.
“This is the fate of many of us, parents and children from this folk dance ensemble. You can’t always escape fate, but it’s important that wherever it takes you, you keep within yourself what can’t be packed in a suitcase but can be carried in your heart, that you don’t forget where you started on that long journey. I am proud of our children and everyone who contributed to celebrating our 20th anniversary in such a magnificent way,” Petković said.
After the performance, following tradition, the children, parents, family members, and all other friends and parishioners who support “Moravac” had the opportunity to celebrate in their home, in the hall of the Nikola Tesla Cultural and Sports Center at the Church of Saint Nicholas in the Chicago suburb of Lyons, where a dinner and gathering were organized with a rich musical program.
Here’s to many more years, Moravac!
Article/Photo/Video: Antonije Kovačević