30 July, 2018 - The 24th edition of the International Folklore Festival for Children and Youth “Cătălina” took place from 24th to 28th of July 2018. Children and young people from Montenegro, Ukraine, Mexico, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania who participated in the Festival had the chance to present their traditional art at this folklore festival.
All participants of the festival had the opportunity to spend three days dedicated to folk music and traditional dance. The event brought the beauty and originality of the traditions of various regions of all participating countries, to the attention of the public. For the seventh consecutive year, Palas Park hosted the Cătălina Festival with all its young artists who are in love with the tradition of their country. Lovers of folklore and those who want to discover the traditions of other countries were invited to enjoy this perfect thematic show.
The main objectives of the Festival were to promote folklore from different regions and different nations, to educate people about love for traditional songs and dance and to develop the ability to discern the authentic from the fake in the field of traditional music and dances. The festival achieved its purposes - to make young people more sensitive to the need to maintain and preserve the traditions and promote the spirit of competition among students.
During the first day, July 25, all guests had the opportunity to see the grand opening of the festival, to enjoy the dance of the winner of the previous edition of the "Cătălina" Folklore Festival Contest from Moldova and the performances of folk ensembles from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Mexico, as well as the recital performance of special guests Beatrice Duca and Ştefan Diaconiţa. On the second day of the festival, visitors witnessed the opening of the International Symposium "Dynamics of Folk Creation" and numerous performances from folk ensembles. The jury, consisting of faculty professors, rated the singing, dancing, music, costume, posture, hairstyles and smile and selected the most successful ensembles of the festival. The third day of the festival was reserved for Awards Ceremony Gala show. According to the decision of the jury, the first place was won by the folk ensemble from Poland “Nowa Ruda”, Montenegrin folk ensemble “Duga” won the second place, while the third place went to Rotunda from Moldova.
International Folklore Festival for Children and Youth "Cătălina" is organized by the Iaşi School Inspectorate in order to present cultural heritage of Romania and the participating countries.
