Gorenjska

Choreographies of dances from Gorenjska

In costumes, that present the festive attire in the Gorenjska region in the first half of the 19. century, the folklore group Triglav, together with the instrumental band and vocal song group, perform different choreographies, often with a characteristic storyline. Some of the choreographies that are still performed today, such as »Vrtec« and »Ohcet«, were composed years ago, while many newer ones ( for instance dances from Bohinj, Old Gorenjska dances, …) have appeared in more recent seasons.

Dances from Gorenjska are also performed in costumes that show the festive attire of the people in Gorenjska at the end of the 19. century. The group often chooses to wear these costumes when it wants to appear somewhat more elegant and esteemed in the choreographies. These present the dance culture of the peasant, small town and borough population at the end of the 19. century, where the influence from the town folks is leaving an obvious trace in the culture and lifestyle of the peasants, especially on those living near bigger towns.

Pre-lent festivities in Rateče

Rateče is a small village, situated in the far nortwestern corner of Slovenia . Because of its isolation from bigger centres and also due to their longlived and wellplanned care for the local heritage, that stretches as far back as to the 19. century, many particularities in speech, song, dance and especially in clothing culture, have been preserved. Choreographies from the Upper Sava Valley present the pre-lent festivities in Rateče. It was common to have different people, dressed in masks, take part in these village festivities that were organised in the weeks before lent, and these masked guests demanded to have their own »solo« dance.

Retting of linen in Gorenjska

Sowing and cultivation of linen was the base for the manufactue of clothes for most of the Slovene population until the industrial revolution in the 19. century.  Retting of linen was part of the peasants' tasks that also had a social meaning and it was often associated with some form of festivity. At the end of the  retting, the men and the musicians joined the female retters, who were known to eat and drink a lot. This merry and festive mood was complemented with various games and mischiefs.

Blacksmiths

The culture of the working class population in Slovenia is not as well-researched as the culture of the peasants and this is probably the reason why very few folklore groups decide on projects that involve and present this culture. The folklore group Triglav, on the other hand, has taken a step forwards and prepared a choreography of dances from Gorenjska, where they show the working atmosphere in Kropa at the time of the so called »nag'lnov sm'n« - the day when the girl shows her affection for a boy with a carnation. The village »merryman« - Matiček - is included in this choregraphy and he wishes the loving couple – Tinca and Jurij – happiness in life.