HERITAGE IS PRESERVED IN CHICAGO: Folklorijada for the salvation of soul and tradition, Black, White, and Asian Serbs in one kolo! (VIDEO + PHOTO GALLERY)

Last night in Chicago, the now-traditional Folklorijada concluded, having been held in the churchyard of the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, organized by the folklore ensemble “SOKO.”

With the participation of 22 folklore ensembles, this was the largest Folklorijada to date, and the general impression is that it was also of the highest quality, with the best dancers that the Serbian diaspora in America and Canada has to offer presenting themselves before a large audience.

Great choreographies, enthusiasm, energy, colorful and hand-embroidered costumes provided enjoyment for the visitors, among whom were Serbs from five generations of immigrants, but also others with whom Serbs have become related, blood brothers, and friends over the past two centuries.

And so, in traditional costumes, we watched both black and white faces, both slanted eyes and red hair, all together and all in the ecstasy of a dance that has been performed since ancient times, which is our genetic code and through which, it has been shown, we remember longest who we are and what we are.

Because language is sometimes forgotten, especially when you are generations away from the homeland, but that rhythm, that decasyllable in the step, anyone who plays the kolo once never forgets – ever!

Folklorijada is not a competition, points are not added up, medals are not distributed, but joy is shared. The joy of life, of preserving tradition, of sharing the good energy that is always created when people connect.

In one kolo, in one rhythm, carried away, yet so precise and so delicate.

Fine embroidery, as our people would say…