The International Carnival of Rijeka is an annual event that has a hundred-year-old tradition and attracts numerous masks and carnival groups, spectators and media, as well as guests from around the country and abroad.

Carnival happenings in the city are a mixture of the bourgeois carnival and the ancient Slavs' folklore elements and mythology. Carnival customs include the making of "ugly masks", which scare away evil forces, calling the spring and celebrating the birth of new life. The Zvoncari, or local bell ringers, are identical to those who centuries ago protected their land from Turkish invasion.

Contacts:
Tel:++385 51/213-145
Fax: ++385 51/333-909
51000 Rijeka, Užarska 14, Hrvatska

The Bulgarian folk ensemble Gotse Delchev Ensemble is going to make a concert tour in Dubai and Oman and take part in the shopping festivals there. Singers, dancers and musicians from the Ensemble will participate.

If you are in folklore, national tradition or You are just fan of folk art and have desire to learn about other tradition, to get new friends then you are welcome to the Folk Gathering in Belgrade.

Vesna Lukic, Program Manager

23. Vladimira Tomanovica Str.
11050 Belgrade
phone/fax + 381-11-347-29-29
489-71-74
347-19-54
mobile: +381-63-309-312

10th International Oriental Dance Festival of Finland on a cruise ship. Cruises on Silja Europa.

El Warda Samalia - The Rose of the North
Guest stars:
Magy Youns, Egipt - Master of the Egyptian Style
Ayun, Germany - Mature, Sensual and Female Style
Maria Strova, Italy - Intimate Dance and Symbolism
Nursel, Slovenia - Romani Belly Dance from the Balkans
Raksan, Berlin - Passionate and Artistic
Djamila, Frankfurt - Expression And Elegance
Bia Begstrom, Lenita Garde, Sweden - Grat Skills
Sirke Seppanen, Finland - Alovely and Popular Teacher

Fantastic Dance Shows, Great Variety of Courses, Luxury Services of Silja Europa.

Afifa, +358-2-4320869, +358-40-5463127

All events take place at Community United Church's Mahany Hall
Elm at Arroyo Sts. San Carlos, CA, about 2 blocks west of El Camino Real

Friday, Jan 21 Warm-up Party with Marcel Vinokur
Dance from 7:30 to 11:00 pm
Bring a little finger food to share - Cost $6

Saturday, Jan 22, 1:30 to 4:30 pm - Workshop presenting dances from 2004 Stockton FD Camp - Cost $6
Suzanne Rocca-Butler will teach 3 non-partner dances;
Cobankat from Albania and Tervelska Raka and Krivo Ihtimansko Horo from Bulgaria;
Bill and Louise Lidicker will teach three Polish dances;
couple dances, Kujony and Warszawianka and the non-partner dance, Szot Madziar

7:00 to 11:00 pm - Dancing, exhibition dances, review of Workshop dances - Cost $6 includes live music by Vecernica from 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Bring a little finger food to share

Contact Al Lisin (408) 252-8106