Hymn - Closing Ceremony The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended The day Thou gavest Lord is ended
The darkness falls at ThY behest To Thee our morning hYmns ascended Thy praise shall sanctify our rest We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping While earth rolls onward into light Through all the world her watch is keeping
And rests not now bY daY or night As o'er each continent and island The dawn leads on another daY The voice of prayer is never silent Nor dies the strain of praise awaY
The sun that bids us resf is waking Our brethren 'neath the western skY And hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondrous doings heard on high So be it, Lord, Thy throne shall never Like earth's proud empires pass awaY Thy Kingdom stands and grows forever Till all Thy creatures own ThY swaY
Festival Prayer for this lnternational Year of Peace Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe
1036
Festival Gommittee His Worship the Mayor of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees Councillor K. W. J. Craggs (President) Chairman: Councillor H. L. Davies MBE Director: Mr P. T. Conroy MBE Vice Chairman: Mr J. Maloney Councillor J. Vaughan County Councillor Mrs M. Taylor MBE, JP County Councillor E. Wood County Councillor W. W. Emerson Mr M. R. Bryan Miss E. Croot Mr L R. Crowden Mr A. Hanby Mrs L. Love Miss M. Potts
Mr
F.
Moutrey
22nd Billingham lnternational Folklore Festival August gth - 16th 1986 Organised by the Festival Committee in conjunction with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and
Affiliated to the lnternational Council of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (C.l.O.F.F.) Billingham lnternational Folklore Festival is sponsored by Stoclcton-on-Tees Borou gh Council who give a cash grant and provide considerable services. The main industrial supporter is
Fringe Activities: Mr R. Angel
lCl Agricultural Division, Billingham.
Press Officer: Mr K. Proud Hon. Treasurer: Mr H. tl. Wright
Considerable support has also been received from
Administrative Officer: Mrs A. Watson
Northern Arts Visiting Arts Phillips Petroleum UK Ltd (Teesside Operators)
Tioxide UK Ltd. Dunnes of Billingham
Welcome to the Billingham lnternational Folklore Festival. lf you are one of our audience, whether it is your first visit, or you are one of our regular supporters, I can promise you another scintillating programme that cannot fail to put you in the festival spirit. Welcome, too, to our groups. As Billingham once again weaves its magic, to create an atmosphere of friendship and understanding, between people from very differing cultures and countries, our event takes on a special significance in this year dedicated to lnternational Peace, Every group is new to Billingham this year, though many are from countries and traditions well known and loved by our audiences. The presence for the first time of groups from Mongolia and Ecuador, represented by their National Dance Companies, is sure to add to the richness and variety of the folklore on view. The Committee, too, is pleased to welcome the Ministerforthe Arts, Richard Luce MP, who will be with us all day
Tuesday.
Our own Member of Parliament, Frank C_ook, 1o the delight of everyone connected with the Festival, has accepted the invitation to open this year's event. Frank has been one of our most loyal supporters over many years. While you are_enjoying the performances plea-se give a thought to the army of voluntary workers, ably led by our Director, Phil Conroy aided by our Secretary. Ann Watson. Without them the Festival could not take piace. The Committee, too, is aware of the debt it owes to all our sponsors. The stage is set. Rightly you expect great things of the Festival, that is ranked as one of the finest in the World. I am sure you will not be disappointed
.-
*Lltq,., i,a H. L. Davies
The Rt. Hon. Richard Luce MP Minister forthe Arts, will spend Tuesday, 12th August at the Festival.
His Worship the Mayor of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees Councillor K. W. J. Craggs, President of the Festival.
Frank Cook, MP for Stockton North, who
will open the Festival.
ICI AGRICULTURAL DIVISION is pleased to support the
INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
B ILLINGHAM
Teesside deserves the Best
GROUPS AND ARTISTES
DAILY PROGRAMME Friday,8th August
Tuesday, l2th August
1o.30 a.m. COLLEGE THEATRE Opening ol "Uncle Bifl" Club. on every
2.30 o.m. TOWN CENTRE Ecuailor, Hungary, lsrael, Kotea Admission is f ree bY courtesy or ijrn"ei ot Billinghain. Admission is bv iic[et oniy oUta,iable from the Festival OJfice. 7.30 o.m. COLLEGE THEATRE Ecuador. China - USSR, Mongolta in So"iiul Con""rt organised with and Xif-Jine Sari tt'ethildren Fund (each of a donation carries iltei ouiCrriseo
ffih:I3iJ,l 8,"ilrtl;be
rsh ip
card
E 1
.
oo
(rhis includei cost of club badge)
Srt rd.y,gth
August
1.30 o.m. TOWN CENTRE Caribbean Steel Band 1.45 p.m. Parade to Town Centre
f1.oo io the SCF).
2.3) o.m. Town Centre cjGriing cete*ony -and lnternational crncert. All qroups trom aoroao,
Stalls e2.00. Centre Stalls f1 50' iiiieti trom tne Sox Office and Save the Children Fund rePS. 7.30 o.m. FORUM THEATRE Afric;, Hungary - lsrael, (second programme) Korea
Biitingham SiiverBand and Dunedin
DanceB.
?.il) o.m. COLLEGE THEATRE
ill,i*iflltn"
*"nsoners
Fork Band.
Dunedin Dancers, Korea, Hungary, Enolish. lrish and Scottish Dancing for all.-Licensed Bar (subiect to Licence)' Admission f2.00
7.ilt o.m. FORUM
THEATRE Et-u-af,or. lsrael - Mongolia, USSR
Surdan lllth August
iicket Friies - gatcony, Front and Back
Wednesday, 13th August 2.30 o.m. TOWN CENTRE Giai[ Monsolia. ltalv. Korea. Ecuador, China, Romania 7.30 o.m. COLLEGE THEATRE koiii'israet - ltatv, Mongolia (second programme) 7.30 D.m. FORUM THEATRE Italv,'China, Ecuador (second programme), Romania
12.fl) noon Mill Lane to Joh! lrvhitehead PaIk - Parade of Floats
Thursday, l4th August 2.30 o.m. TOWN CENT[!-
1.15 o.m.-2.15 D.m. John Whitehead 15'*:iil6g'ng oI rbats and Children's Frnw Oreis.-Music bv Billingham Silver Bandand Newton Aycliffe Scots PiPe and Drum Band.
7.30 o.m. FORUM THEATRE Italv, China - Mongolia (second programme), Romania
2.15 o.m. THE CAUSEWAY Grani, Parade with Bands, Floats, Children and Folklore Groups. 3.(X) o.m. TOWN CENTRE Con6'rt witn att groups from abroad'
7.4) o.m. FORUM THEATRE USSR L-c-u-af,6r.
lsrael Mongolia,
tondav, llth August 2.il) o.m. TOWN CENTRE
Afdca. USSR, Korea, Romanta 7.30 P.m. COLLEGE THEATRE - 11.fl) P.m. t"ie-miilonal Dance Evening wlth oerfomjnces by ltaly, Romania, lsrael, ihen oarticipation with grouPs. iicenieo sir (suoject t6 Licence) Admission 82.00
7.4)o.m. FORUMTHEATRE
Hungary - uSSR (second programme) Korea
Atri;,
Italy, hf rica, Mongolia, USSH 7.30 p,m. COLLE-GE THEATFE Alirc5, Hrngary - ecuador, USSR
Friday, 15th August 2.30 o.m. TOWN CENTRE
Mongolia, Hungary - China, Homanla 7.30 o.m. COLLEGE THEATRE cJri 66iicen attgroups from abroad' 7.30 o.m. FORUM THEATRE diri'co'ticett. All groups f rom abroad' SaturdaY, 16th August 2.OO P.m. Parade to Town Centre 2.30 o.m. TOWN CENTRE Aridr'oups irom auroad: Silurian Border Morris. ijiJsentation ot Pennants lnternational Farandole. 7.30 p.m. TOWN CENTRE All seats f'I.00 Coniert Uv Aittingf,am Silver Band' Siturian Btirder Morris, Stewart McFarlane and'Anvil' 9.00 p.m. Torchlight procession starts from College. 9.30 o.m. Closing Ceremony with Billrndham Silver Band.
AFRICA Malawi - Choir and Dance Group from Kamuzu Academy CHINA Acrobatic Group from Taiyuan - Shanxi Province ECUADOR The National Dance ComPanY - Ouito
HUNGARY 'Nyirseg' Dance Company and the Galibanda Folk Music Ensemble TSRAEL
Folklore Ensemble Hora Gal Acco - Acre ITALY Elena Folklore Ensemble'Citta Di Ouarto'- Ouarto San - Sardinia
KOREA 'Kang Sun-Young' Dance Troupe - Seoul
MONGOLIA The National Dance Company - Ulan Bator
ROMANIA Folklore Ensemble'Prahova' - Ploesti
USSR
{
Folklore Ensemble 'sipris'- Tallinn- Estonia
WEST INDIES Caribbean Steel Band (Club onlY) UNITED KINGDOM Billingham Silver Band (Children's Billingham Technical College Drama Group Club)
Dunedin Dancers - Edinburgh Newton Aycliffe Scots Pipe and Drum Band Silurian Border Morrismen of Ledbury Stewart McFarlane and 'Anvil' (Song and lnstrumental Group)
Waggoners Folk Dance Band
FRINGE ACTIVITIES Tuesday, 1fth August The "Well" area in the West Precinct near the sloping ramp: 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Traditional music by: Nick Haigh - Fiddle; Geoff
Pearson - Banjo & (juitar; Jack"Keane - Fiddle; Samina Ashraf, Ron Angel - Penny Whistles, Piccolo; Peter Walters - lrish Union Pipes, Flute. Dancing by: Helles Belles Women's Morris from Hartlepool, Cleveland Clog Dancers. Forum Steps: 6.30 p,m. to 7.30 p.m.
Traditional music of the Northumbrian Small Pipes by "Northumbrian Folk" in costume. College Entrance during Concert lnterval: Music by visiting French group of instrumentalists Folk Mu6ic Grodp of Auvdrgne (France). Billingham Arms: Cleveland Lounge 8 p.m. A "Come All Ye" folk instrumental session featuring
the above mentioned musicians and led by "Northumbrian Folk", "Spanking Jack" and "The Waggoners" playing lrish, Scottish and Northumbrian music. Free to the general public.
Wednesday, 13th August The "Well" area in the West Precinct near the sloping ramp: 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Traditional music bv: Nick Haioh - Fiddle; Geoff
Pearson - Banjo & Guitar; Jack-Keane - Fiddle; Samina Ashraf, Ron Angel - Penny Whistles, Piccolo; Peter Walters - lrish Union Pipes, Flute.
Dancing by: Stockton Morris - the famous "Blue & Golds" team; Alison Tunicliffe's team of Scottish Dancers with Pipe Major Bill Brown; Solo Scottish Dancing by Selma Douglas; Cleveland Clog Dancers. Billingham Arms Ballroom : Afternoon Barn Dance 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Music bv "The Waqqoners" Ceilidh Band. Caller: Brian Padg6tI. Pay at the door - only 40p including tea.
Forum Steps: 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Traditional music by the Cleveland Branch of the Northu mbrian Pipers Association. Advice, explanation and demonstration provided by expert pipe-maker Dave McQuade.
Thursday, 14th August The "Well" area in the West Precinct near the sloping ramp: 1 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Traditional music by: Nick Haigh - Fiddle; Geoff Pearson - Banjo & Guitar; Jack Keane - Fiddle; Samina Ashraf, Ron Angel - Penny Whistles, Piccolo; Peter Walters - lrish Union Pipes, Flute. Dancing by: Cleveland Clog Dancers and Helles
Belles Women's Morris Forum Steps: 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Traditional music of the Nor.thumbrian Small Pipes
by "Northumbrian Folk" in costume. College Entrance during Concert lnterval: Music by visiting French group of instrumentalists Folk Music Group of Auvergne (France). Billingham Arms: Cleveland Lounge 8 p.m.
A "Come All Ye" folk instrumental session featuring the mid-day musicians and including elements of "Stockton Hop", "The Waggoners", "Spanking Jack", "Tarbolton", "Drops o' Brandy" and "Northumbrian Folk". Music of the British lsles. Free to the general public.
INTERNATIONAL CRAFTS FAIR Billingham Forum first time craftspeople f rom Estonia will be presenting their work in Billingham - an exciting addition to this popular feature of the Festival. They will be showing their work, demonstrating "how it's done" and answering your questions. For the
Many local and regional craftspeople will be sharing in this "Festival of Crafts" showing a variety of creative and traditional crafts, many of which would be lost without their dedicated work. Opening Saturday, August gth at 10.30 a.m. and continuing daily throughout the week 10.30 a.m. 7.30 p.m. Last Saturday 16th August 10.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
FESTIVAL CLUB
FESTIVAL SUNDAY
This will be situated in the Billingham Arms Hotel. lt will be open from Friday, August 8th until Saturday, August 161h,9.00 p.m. until 2.00 a.m.
12.00 noon Parade of Floats from Mill Lane to John Whitehead Park via Belasis Lane, Bedale Avenue, Wharfdale Avenue, Central Avenue, Station Road, Cheviot Crescent, Pentland Avenue, The Causeway.
The Programme is as follows: Friday, August 8th All Groups - Caribbean Steel Band - Disco
Saturday, August 9th Garibbean Steel Band - ITALY - Disco Sunday, August 1 Oth Caribbean Sleel Band - Disco
3!?it1* f5f"5'r'#l
-
R.MAN !A - Disco
Tuesday, August 12th Caribbean St-eel Band - CHINA - Disco
2.15 p.m. Parade of Floats, Bands, Children in Fancy Dress and
Festival Groups from John Whitehead Park via the Causeway to the Town Centre. 3.00 p.m. Festival Concert with all groups participating.
N.B. Whatever the weather the parade of Floats and
Wednesday, August 13th Caribbean SteelBand - Disco
judging will take place. lf it is ari inclement day Children's Fancy Dress will be judged in St. Aidan's Hallat 1.15 p.m.
I:|it"fg.i ti8"YtJ"oJl
TRANSFERRED CONCERTS
Disco - croup to be serected
Friday, August 15th Caribbean Steel Band - Disco
Saturdav. Auoust 16th Caribbe6ir St6el Band - Disco The Club Fee is f9.00 and membershio is oranted on personal application only. Members dray-sign in a
limited number of bona-fide guests at Management discretion at f3.00 before 10.00 p.m. and f4.d0 after.
There will be no casual admissions.
Tuesday, August 12th TOWN CENTRE 2.30 p.m.
Admission to concert is free by courtesy of Dunnes of Billingham. Obtain your ticket'from the Festival Office.
I
1.15 p.m. - 2.15 p.m.
Judging of Floats and Children's Fancy Dress in John Whitehead Park.
ln the event of inclement weather on Saturday 9th, '
S-unday, Tuqsday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoon 16th, concerts will transfer to the Forum as well as the College Theatre if audience warrants this.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Photographs - Back Cover and Africa
Phototronics, Stockton
The Festival Committee thank the following for their valuable support: BKE Electrics, Billingham K. M. Devereux & Son, Billingham Billingham Arms Hotel
Billingham RotaryClub Franklins of Saltburn
AFRICA - The Folklore Ensemble of Kamuzu Academy, Kasungu 'MALAWI This group comes to us through the Commonwealth Arts Festival in Edinburgh. Their last performance, before coming to Billingham, will be in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh at the Closing Festival Concert on August 2nd. It will be the first group from a Commonwealth country of Africa to attend at Billingham and one hopes it will be the first of many. The ensemble which comes here will be made up of 20 persons only, all of whom will come from this famous school which is known as the 'Eton of
Africa'. The Academv was a qift from Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, to Mdlawi. Drl Banda, life President of the republic is one of Africa's most famous personalities and leads a settled and prosperous country. Kamuzu Academy takes only the outstanding pupils from their country. lt is equivalent, in a way, to our Sixth Form Colle{es, as it'caters for students in the 17 119 age group. They have a reputation for hard work an-d a high rate of academic success.
The school preserves the traditions of the Ngoni Tribe to which most of the people of Malawi belong.
Their programme will be what we expect from a group from this part of Africa. On one concert they will present a Village Evening which will feature dances of the Ngoni people, the traditional dances of Malawi. On another occasion they will present a Ngoni Wedding Scene which I am sure will be of special interest. We have seen many traditional weddinos at this festival but this is the first occasion that ondwill have been presented from this region of Africa. Other concerts will feature Harvest Celebrations and Tribal lnitiation Ceremonies. The costumes of the ladies will be long traditional dresses and the men will wear animal skins. Musical accompaniment will be by drums. We should like to express our appreciation of the assistance given to us by Mr. K. Borthwick, CBE, Chairman oithe Comm6nwealth Games, Edinburgh and Mr. Robert Atkins, co-ordinator of the Commonwealth Arts Festival, Edinburgh. Their efforts made the visit of the group possible.
CHINA - Acrobatic Troupe of Taiyuan Shanxi Province For the second consecutive year we have a Chinese gompany appearing which is not strictly speaking folklore in the way that most of us understand it. Asia and especially China has always been a centre for acrobatic art and skills of a standard which we in the west at times consider to be almost outside human capabilities. We have commented elsewhere on the almost magical synchronisation which we shall see in the Korean group's drum dance. This Chinese company will ailso present prodigious feats of dexterity and skill which will take'our bieath away. The repertoire of the group, which will consist of 25 persons is extensive. lt includes the Lion Dance, for which China is famous, and which has been seen here before on several occasions. However, as this is an acrobatic Lion Dance, we can expect it to be somewhat different. They will also'present feats of strength with bow and sword, Wirewalkinq, Balancing on a_Plank, Callisthenetics, Bow'is Topping on a. Unicycle, Balancing Pyramids, Balancing d iar, 3fl
f
liHIi.?ir#FsJ:T,r+'i,58il,1l,%';'fi gyJ::[:?S,
inside a Pail and Flowers of Friendship. The acrobatic and other physical skills of Pekin Opera impressed last year. One observation heard, rated the leading lady as having more skill in her feet than most of our first division footballers. We think we shall see something very special from this company who have previously toured the Sudan,
Somalia, Algeria, Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Burma, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. The group is coming to the United Kingdom to visit our cities which are twinned with cities in China. They were offered to us because ofthe good reception given in the past to our Chinese guests who have obviously enjoyed coming to Billingham. The performance before Billingham is at Aberdeen on the night of Saturday, August gth. Six of the group will come to take part in our Openinq Ceremony but the first performance by the-whole company will be at the Sunday afternoon concert on
August
1Oth.
ECUADOR - The National Dance Company - Ouito 19 members of this companywill be coming to Europe this summer on a tour which will feature
appearances at four CIOFF Festivals - Schoten (Belgium), Gannat and Alsace (France) then finally
Billingham. The National Company performs ballet, folk and a contemporary dance programme. We willsee their folk presentations but these may be seen linked to their modern programme. The aim of the company, when it was formed in 1962, was to investigate the ancient culture and art forms of Ecuador and use these as a basis for a colourful contemporary dance presentation. From 1976 the company came under the auspices of the Minister of Culture and intensified its work in researching Ethnic dance and incorporating its findings into a modern idiom. They now have a repertoire of 95 items from their own country and other areas of Latin America. Director of the Company is Marcelo Ordonez. He began his studies atthe School of Ballet in Ecuador
in 1954. From there he went to the University of Ouito then the School of Dance in Guyaquil. His dance education continued with spells in San Francisco, London where he attended the Royal Ballet School in 1968, Leningrad and Moscow. He created the National Ballet Company of Ecuador and is still director of this ensemble as well as the National Company which is coming to us. The group has a colourful interesting programme. We expect to see six couples presenting the dance items and they will be accompanied by five musicians. Their music will be familiar to our audiences as it will consist of the same instruments - bombo etc. which the Bolivians have made popular here.
This will be the goup's first visit to England but on their last visit to Europe, some years ago, they scored a resounding success at Schoten and the other festivals they attended. One feels they could well be the most exciting South American group to come to this Festival.
HUNGARY -'Nyirseg' Dance Company and Galibanda Folk Music Company -
Nyiregyhaza
This group's visit is sponsored by The National Council of lndustrial Co-operatives. It was established in 1974 and comes from the town of Nyiregyhaza in the County of Szaboles-Szatmar Which lies in East Hungary. They will perform the dance items of their own region and the whole country. The group is making its first visit to Britain but has performed in Polancj, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, ltaly and Germany.
The musical group play the violin, viola, double bass and hurdy gurdy. They will accompany the dancers and give their own music and singing items. The ensemble offers sixteen different dance items in its programme. These come from every area of Hungary and one from Romania. Two have been choreographed by Timar Sandor who has been the leading figure in the Hungarian folk dance revolution which has taken place in the last 10 - 15 years. Timar directed the Bela Bartok ensemble at Billingham some years ago and has now reached the top of his profession - Director of the State Song and Dance Ensemble. He was in the United Kingdom with the group last Autumn. One of the most interesting items will be the Dances from the Mezoseg region i-n Transylvania. The costumes of the girls are particularly suitable for the dance and quick spinning cause the skirts to whirl into the most colourful and artistic shapes.
There are several dances with sticks one of which depicts a duel between two gipsies and another which is performed by shepherds in the Great Hungarian Plain. The Czardas and Recruiting Dance will be familiar to regular supporters. Both wrere seen at the first
Billingham Festival in 1965.
songs and musical items will be featured by Galibanda and the duet on the Zither may well 6e the highlight of this section of the performance. F_olk
ln all the programme looks to be much more varied and colourful than that presented by the last Hungarian group to come here.
I
ISRAEL - Folklore Ensemble Hora Gal Acco (Acre) When it was decided to invite lsrael to this year,s festival we asked for suggestions as to groups from lsrael's section of C.l.O.F.F. One or two iere'named which has been here before but we felt that it was time to have a complete change. Accordingly we have been allocated the group from Acre on ihe northern coast of lsrael. An aipropriate choice one might say for a British festivai bs it was here that Richard the Lion Heart first became a leqend in the minds of the Turks whom he defeated ai the Siege of Acre. Hora Gal Acco is a young group created only in 19g3 underthe auspices of the Acco Municipalitv'and with the participation of its Workers Union.' The group will present a programme of dance, music ano song stmtlar to those ensembles we have seen hqr_e i1 previous years. There will be the virile, athletic, spectacular dances such as the Dance ofJoy which depicts the new lsraeli state and its dynamic progress since foundatron. There will be specialist items depictinq the customs of the different communities suih as ttre yemenites
and Hassidic sects. These of course are very old, traditional and can be linked to Biblical tim6s. There
are many references to dance in the Bible. What, however, makes this group from Acco tnterestlng to.the connoisseur is the choreographer. We have read a great deal about Jewish oeo"ole in the USSR returnr-ng to lsrael to beqin a n6w life in what all Jews regard as th.eir homEland. Gregory Ersenoerg nas onty recenfly come to live in Acco from the Soviet Union. We'don't knowwhat his dance background is but he has, apparentlv. stamped on.this.group his own originality airO in a snon pe.noct of time under his direction the group has attained a rich repertoire of folklore danies with their own character and colour. We can therefore look forward to different items and oossiblv a different type of presentation Music will be pro_vided by Aciordion, Synthesiser, Drum, trumpet, Saxophone, Drabuca and Guitar. The gro.up's dir-ector is Yossi Fitussi; Dance Manager Arieh Sheiner; Musical Directors lsrael Weisman ind Shmulik Neufield.
ITALY - Folklore Ensemble'Citta di Ouarto'- Ouarto San EIena - SARDINIA This group comes to us from Ouarto San El.ena which lies east of the city of Cagliari on the south east coast of Sardinia. The ensemble was founded in 1928 and has an outstanding reputation having performed all over ltaly andln Tunisia, France, Bulgaria, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium and Holland. Their programme of the songs and dances of their region and the whole island of Sardinia is delightful; light, colourful, tuneful and highly entertaining. They have a wide variety of dances ranginq from the modt traditional of all 'SL gatta Tundu"i,triftr was born spontanously among the first inhabitants of the island and was danced around the camp fire to'The Argia Dance'which is a ritual item depicting a person being freed from the harmful effectbf an insect bite, usually a spider, which appears to be a fairly common happening in Sardinia. The other dance items celebrate festivals, harvests, weddings, spring and even a peculiar kind of
wrestling which dates from early 18th century practice in Ouarto San Elena.
Each village has its own costume in Sardinia. ln
Ouarto the traditional dress has been preserved for centuries. There are two types - those for daily wear
I
t
I
and those for special occasions. Typical every day women's clothing consisted of a pleated blue and red striped cotton skirt down to the ankle, a white blouse, close fitted round the waist by a silk waist coat. The dress was completed by a short close fitting long sleeved jacket, a handkerchief used as a head dress, a shawl, little jewellery and an apron whose colour changed according to tast. For special occasions a red velvet skirt was worn with white blouse decorated with lace, a breast handkerchief on which jewels were placed; a black velvetjacket and an apron. Men's dress is made mainly of rough wool except trousers and shirt which are of white linere. The waistcoat is made of velvet and the headdress varies according to one's trade and is worn differently according to the area in which you live. The group's instruments are accordion, tambourine, triangle and a variety of flageolet type whistles made Trom local cane. The group is directed by Gianni Orru. Also present will be their President Luigi Cabras whose father founded the ensemble 58 years ago.
REPUBLIC OF KOREA -'Kang Sun-
Young Dance Troupe'- Seoul It is indeed a privilege to welcome this famous company to our festival and we thank our C.l.O.F.F. colleagues in Seoul who have made their visit to Billingham possible. The group is coming to Europe for the whole of July and August. They begin their tour in ltaly and go from there to Belgium, France, England and finally Switzerland appearing, in all, at eight festivals. The organisation has, in the main, been the responsibility of Mr Toh Sang Moon, Secretary General of the Asian Sector of C.l.O.F.F. and Philip Conroy our Director who is Secretary General of C.l.O.F.F. We are delighted to welcome Mr Moon to Billingham to see some of the group's performances. This is the third Korean ensemble to take part in our
festival. The first was the National Dance Company in 1978 and then we had the more traditional 'Jindo lsland Farmers' Group four years ago. This group will present a stylised programme which promises to be very similar to the National Company's performances nine years ago. Mrs Kang Sun-Young, Director of the ensemble, is a Vice President of the National Dance Company and is recognised as one of Korea's foremost folk dance artists. She has presented Korean groups in concert in more than fifty countries including the United States, Japan and Europe. She won the top folk dance prize at the 12th Asia Arts Festival in 1965 and received a national decoration in 1973 for her many achievements.
Some of the items will be recognised by regular visitors to Billingham - The Farmers Dahce-is Korea's most popular and well known folk dance and we'll see, once again, the Sangmu twirling in great loops a long white paper streamer attached to the top of his hat. The Changgo Dance was one of the favourite folk dances performed during rural community celebrations. The dancers carry the changgo, a traditional hourglass drum on tlieir shoufdbrs as they play it. The changing rhythms and the vigour and liveliness of the performers' movements -add to the mood of festivity. Other familiar items will be the Fan Dance, Flower Crown Dance and Drum Dance, the latter in the opinion of many Billingham regulars is the most spectacular dance item ever seen at this festival. lt certainly demands the most exact timing of any folk dance in any culture.
I
New items will be the Exorcist Dance which is a religious item performed by Buddhists who belong to a cult known as Shamanism and the Buddhist Dance which was originally performed by nuns in the temples and dates from the 16th century. Older than any of the dances is the musical instrument Kayakum which was originally invented 1700 years ago. The performer sits to play it and plucks the strings which give a sound not dissimilar to a violin. The girls in the group are beautiful and the costumes among the most colourful and spectacular ever seen here. The ensemble is a festival in itself and will certainly add a third unusual dimension to the contribution being made here by Asian countries this year.
PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF MONGOLIA . The State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble - Ulan Balor It is indeed a pleasure to welcome the State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble of Mongolia to the 22nd Billingham Festiva,l. The first invitation to this country to send a representative group here was issued more than ten years ago and we have made frequent requests since 1976 without success. However patience is often rewarded and we wish to thank our Embassy staff in Ulan Bator; The Cultural Relations Department of the Foreign Office and the staff of the Mongolian Embassy in London, without whose co-operation this group could not be present here. We can expect to see a colourful, excitinq, spectacle. The costumes are magnificenq the dancing'vigorous and varied; the musical instruments of a type never seen at this festival before. Mongolia is a country of blue skies, unbounded steppes; majestic mountains; forests, rivers, lakes
and endless desert. The programme reflects the history and geography of their country. We know that the people of this land are famous horsemen so
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it is no surprise to find that some of the dance items depict the skilled horsemanship of the Mongolian people. TherB are also dances of the countryside, a greeting dance and items for ladies only. ln the latter sector we shall see'Hatad' a dance of noble women obviously dating from long ago and the'Petals' dance pictures of which bear some similarity to the Chinese and Korean Ladies dance with fans which has beenseen at Billingham on several occasions. There will be a wide variety of folk songs many of which relate to the different regions of the country 'The Gobi Song','A Song of the Altai','A Song of the Eastern Steppes' etc. Others are about the country's history, love, the seasons and national customs. The group has performed in 30'pountries all over the world but this is the first time any performing artistes from Mongolia have visited these islands. A number of the group have been awarded the title of Peoples Artist and are State Prize Winners so we can look forward to a programme of the highest quality.
ROMANIA - Folklore Ensemble 'Prahova'- Ploiesti Romanian groups have always been popular at this festival and our visitors this year come with such an outstanding reputation and excellent advance publicity that we know they will be a resounding success.
Regulars may have asked why it is such a long time since we had a group from this country; the last one came in 1981 from Bacau. The reason is a simple one. Since 1981 we have had two visits from the 'Miorits' ensemble from Moldavia. Look at the map and you will see that Moldavia ad.ioins Romania. The Moldavian orchestra was very similar to those we have had from Romania and there was an affinity in the dance traditions.
'Prahova'will present the type of entertainment we expect from a Romanian ensemble with some items which have not been seen here before. Dance suites include the original folk dances of their region from which the group takes its name, in addition to arrangements from Barat (West Romania), the Somes River, Oas (Northern central area), Fagaras which will be give,'. in original costumes, Oltenia and perhaps the best known of all Calusarii which is performed by the men in the company. The Orchestra will include Cymbalom and Pan Pipes, violin, accordion and clarinet. We can look forward to the'Skylark' probably the most popular piece of
music ever played at this festival; violin solos from Grigoras Binicu, a famous Romanian composer and violinist; songs from Maria Scarlat and lon Duca; cymbalom solos from Andrei lon and lively orchestral pieces directed by conductor Pana lon.
Dumitru Parvu is overall Director and Chief Choreographer. He says in the foreword to his programme that if we enjoy what he has to offer then the Romanians will be greatly satisfied because nothing can exceed the gratitude one feels at seeing your art warmly appreciated by a friendly audience. We are quite certain he and his group will leave
Billingham in a happy frame of mind.
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U.S.S.R. - Folklore Ensemble'Sipris' Tallinn - Estonian S.S.R.
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'sipris' means friendship and it is significant that we
should be entertaining this year a group with such title for this festival has indeed created a bond of friendship with the U.S.S.R. which is sending here the 1Oth group since we first had'Dniestr'as our guests from the Ukraine in 1974.
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'Sipris' come from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, a republic which has not been represented at Billingham ever before. Previous groups from the U.S.S.R. have hailed from the republics of Russia, The Ukraine, Georgia, Moldavia and Armenia. The costumes of the group resemble closely the
national dress of the adjacent republics of Lithuania and Latvia. The dance, music, instruments and dress have a close affinity with the nearby Scandinavian countries of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
The programme which 'Sipris'will present demonstrates all the traditions of Estonia as well as other republics of the U.S.S.R. When our Director saw the group in Tallinn, last year, during the C.l.O.F.F. Conference, he witnessed a delightful programme of a Moldavian and Russian Dance as well as their own region's traditional items. Estonia is not a large republic. lt has, however, a tremendous folk tradition which is held in high regard by all the people. Tallinn is the scene every five years for what is probably the largest folklore festival in the world. ln a special stadium 30,000 singers in national costume form a choir which sings to an audience of 250,000 while 8,000 folk dancers perform together on the city's football ground before huge crowds.
'Sipris' was founded in 1946 and awarded national honours in 1962 and 1966. They have performed in the Ukraine, Latvia, Russia, Lithuania, G.D.R.,. Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Finland, Hungary and France. The Director is a lady - llma Adamson who is a 'People's Artist' of the Estonian S.S.R. She is also the g
roup's choreographer.
ln addition to the dancers, singers and musicians, five craft specialists from Estohia are accompanying the ensemble and can be seen demonstrating their arts in the Working Craft Fair at the Forum.
Silurian Border Morrismen of Ledbury (Saturday, August 1 6th) UNITED KINGDOM We continue the tradition begun last year of bringing folk dance groups from outside the region for the Opening and Closing days of the Festival.
Dunedin Dancers - Edinburgh (Saturday, August 9th) Dunedin is the old name for Edinburgh and the Dunedin Dancers were formed in the mid si)dies by members of Edinburgh University New Scotland Country Dance Society. This group had performed at international festivals abroad and wished to keep in contact with groups they met at these events. The group's dance programme consists of country dances in the traditional sets of four couples with soloists who perform Highland or Ladies Step Dancing. Formal wear consists of kilts and Highland jackets for the men and long white dresses with tartan sashes for the ladies. For informal occasions the ladies wear a short plain woollen skirt with a white blouse and laced up waistcoat. Dunedin travel abroad regularly and in the last 15 years have attended more than 30 festivals in Europe. Since 1981 they have performed in Eire, Belgium, West Germany, Sweden, ltaly, Finland, France, Austria and Norway. Every other year they arrange a small festival in Edinburgh and have entertained 20 groups from overseas in recent years.
For a number of years we have tried, without success, to persuade one of the Welsh Border Morris
Groups to come to Billingham. This year, for the first time we are successful and we are sure that all will enjoy this different style of Morris Dancing which has not been seen at our Festival before. The Silurian Morrismen are orobablv the leadino exponents of what is commonly known as Welsf, Border Morris, once condemned by Cecil Sharp as a degenerate form of the Morris he was more familiar with. A number of researchers since then, notably Dave Jones, who founded Silurian in the late sixties, have put more effort into demonstrating that, far from being degenerate, this form of Morris dancing is part of a much older tradition than the competitive Cotswold dances. The dances are more basic, with
simpler movements, but what they lack in pretty footwork, is made up for in the vigour and vitality with which the dances are performed. It is generally accepted that Morris dancing is connected with ancient fertility rites etc., and it is probably true that at one time all Morris Dancers blacked their faces, or took up some other disguise, in order to achieve anonymity against evil spiiits. ln an age where this is no longer relevant, Silurran nevertheless uphold the idea as they believe that, to the best of their ability, they are re-enacting the old rituals, as well as providing an entertainment for onlookers. Silurian take their dancing seriously and try to create a sense of excitement and mystique whenever they perform, and hope that they can capture something of what real Morris dancing must have been.
ln addition to these two orouDs which are newwe also present old friends Irom'the region.
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Billingham Silver Band This is the only group which has taken part in every festival and we thank the band for their loyal support since '1965. We also congratulate them on the progress which has taken place over the years. They are now one of the leading bands in the region and in 1984 obtained eighth place in the National Brass
Newton Aycliffe Scots Pipe and Drum Band This band will play in the John Whitehead Park and in the Parade on Sunday, August 1Oth then lead the Procession to the Town Centre for the Closing Ceremony on Saturday, August 16th. This group is a well organised and efficient unit which never gives a bad performance. They are always turned out in magnificent style and have proved immensely popular. They performed in Germany in their own right in June last year and then gave a series of outstanding shows in September when they toured Syria with Northern Folk. On August 25th they go to Bulgaria and take part in the festivals of Bourgas and Popovo and with the rest of Northern Folk give a concert in Sofia before
returning to England.
Band Championships of Great Britain, held in the Royal Albert Hall, London. They can heseen and heard on three occasions this
year. They play as usual at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies together with a concert and parade on Festival Sunday.
Anvil The 'Anvil'trio comprises Adrian Beadnell, Bob Skingle and Stewart McFarlane (BBC Radi6 Cleveland). With TV, radio and concert aDDearances as h.ackground, they are at homd with large audiences pinSing traditional and contemporary Songs of the
North East. Ma.ny of their compositions are used by schools, radio and televisioh to illustrate the area's industry,
beauty and events. They have appeared at many Billingham Folklore l-estivals over the years, this vear reoeatinq last year's successful final open-air coniert in tihe Town Centre with the Billingham Silver Band.
Waggoners Folk Dance Band The Waggoners are lead by Jack Keane, one of the finest folk fiddlers in the British lsles. Ja'ck has played for Stockton Morris Men as long as anyone can
remember and is.in.great demand with many groups because of his reliability, expertise and versStility. ' Jack is 70 yeg.rs young but hle lrgs played in Germany this year and in September 1985 siood up well to a gruelling tour in Syria with Northern Foli<. utr.9 the Waggonerq ptqy at the Saturday Night {"-.,tS Ceili at the College and the Afternoon Barn Dance (430 - 6.30 p.m.) at the Billingham Arms on Wednesday. Caller is Brian Padgett an outstandinq Derformer with Stockton Moriis Men for many fe'ars.
Finally we have one new group from Billingham itself.
Billingham Technical Gollege Drama Group David Moutrey who has been a most successful Uncle Biff for a number of years is now Director of a Theatre in the Manchester area. His commitments there orevent him now from participating in the festival. However, we have been most fortunate to find a welcome s_ubstitute in Andrew Ta.V!or,.who is a teacher working in
the arts in the Cleveland'Region. He and Val Hanson, aDrama Lecturer at Billingha-m Technical College, wiii organise the enteqtainment at the Children,s C'iub tfris year. Their'Gang' has been recruited from the Drama Students at the Co.llege and it is most pleasing and appropriate that we should. have this group piaying ain impcirtani part in the testrval. We have always relled heavily on the goodwill of
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the College Staff and the magnificent wholehearted gu.pporl that we-receive frornthe Principal, Vice principal, Educational Staff, Caterers, Caretakers, Cl6aners and ifre' Administrators both in the College and at the Education Offices make our task of organisltion so much easier. The club activities will be si-milar to previous years with competitions, games.and a visiting group eaih day. A special play has also been written:id pieoared fo'r Festival Week. lts title is 'The Adventurbs <it e,arfut Knawful'. lt will take the form of a serial with an instalment each day. Making up the cast are Joanne Greenwood, Francesca
Harrison, Erica Moore, Mark Gallagher, Tony Booth and Stephen Keegan.
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UNFORGETTABTE. A word that captures the spirit, Iaughter, song and dance brought to us by the Performers in the Bi[ingrham International Folklore Festival. We are delighted to be a small part of this event . , .'
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