Stories of Youth
My name is Shirin Myumyun. I am 20 years old. I am an active member of “Rodop esintileri” folklore group for 11 years, since 2012.
Back in 2012, when I joined the folklore group, I was looking for an activities to do in my spare time during summer. Then I met missis Nuray, a neighbor of mine, who told me that she is forming a folklore group for girls around my age and invited me to be part of it. I joined it and that was one of the best decisions I ever made, because I found out that dancing is my passion.
The most memorable moment for me as a dancer was when I first took part in an international festival in Turkmenistan. Then I met many different cultures from many different countries but the common thing that united them all was dancing. All the group and everyone practiced so hard and got very tired but in the end their performance was impressive and that is what is motivating her. Taking part in such festivals, where I made many friends and learned about the dances, costumes and traditions of different countries, always stimulated her to continue dancing.
Being part in a group I learned how to work in team and how to deal with issues that occur before performances. By travelling a lot and getting to know many people I learned a lot about life and culture in different countries. I took part in Erasmus + projects with the group which helped me develop my English and overcome my shyness in talking in front of people in language different than my mother tongue. That helped me a lot to build up confidence in my everyday and university life.
Anyone who loves dancing, being active, travelling and wants to learn more about traditions and customs should join a folklore group. Such activities help you develop confidence and learn to work in a team.
My name is Gherghe Mihai Cristian, I am 31 years old. I am a member of team for 15 years.
I joined Doinita folk ensemble in 2008, being one of the founding members.
Moment of my being in a folklore group which was the most memorable for me was the final show from Azores International folklore festival.
Except dances and songs while I am a group member I have learnt being part of the group. Understanding the needs of my colleagues. Understanding different cultures and personalities.
One should join the folklore group because it’s a lifestyle!
My name is Katerina Kelektsoglou-Chatzisavva. I am 16 years old. I am a member of team 4Youth since 2019.
Being sister of a person with special needs, I wanted to be a volunteer, so I started getting involved in the group. Since I was a little girl, I was a member of two folklore groups in my village, while at the same time I did ballet. I play the violin and today I am engaged in horse riding.
What will remain unforgettable for me, is that in the last project I participated in, “youthfolklore.com” in Hungary, although communication was difficult sometimes, through dancing we developed friendships that have lasted until now. Being part of the team, helped me in several things. I have learned to cooperate with others and to overcome obstacles that appear. I feel that I am more open to people and I speak my opinion, without fear of what someone will think or say about me. Also, participating in Erasmus+ projects, helped me develop my language skills, learned to be independent, gained experiences and learned things about the countries I visited. Also, I learned that language is not a barrier to communication with other people.
In my opinion, folklore groups play a crucial role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. By joining a folklore group, you contribute to the preservation and revitalization of traditional music, dance, storytelling, costumes and other aspects of your culture. This helps ensure that the traditions and customs passed down through generations are not lost or forgotten. Being part of a folklore group provides a sense of belonging and community. You get to meet and collaborate with like-minded individuals, who share a passion for cultural traditions. It’s an opportunity to form lasting friendships and collaborate creatively. Also, this can lead to personal growth and development. You can learn new skills such as playing traditional instruments, dancing, singing or storytelling. These activities can boost your confidence, improve your coordination, enhance your musical abilities and expand your creative expression.
My name is Esztella Erika Kovacs. I am 20 years old. I am a part of the ensemble since 2013.
I was 11 when I first heard about the new local folk dance group from her mother. I decided to join because I always loved dancing and wanted to take part in a group, but there weren’t too many options in the area. Slowly dancing became my hobby and also an obsession for me.
The most memorable moment for me in the group was the group’s first performance, it was a whole new thing. I was so excited because I could dance in front of an audiance, and I could wear traditional costume for the first time.
Being part in a group makes you improve in many competences. It taught me to work with other people in a more effective way, solve problems and conflicts. Working with others is important in school and later, when you will have a job, and being able to solve problems and avoid conflicts are advantages in your private life. I think being a member of a folk group is amazing, because you can cherish your country’s traditions, find a new hobby, relax after a hard and stressful day, find new friends and learn various dances and songs which you can perform to other people.