Children folklore ensemble Javorníček Brno, Czech Republic
The ensemble commenced its activities in 1958 when the adult group called ”Vlajka Mladi“ (Flag of Youth) launched a project for children and named it ”Vlajecka“ (Little Flag) which was later re-named to Javornicek. The founders were Marie and Josef Cap and even after Josef passed away, Marie is still the ensemble leader.
As of today, there are over two hundred kids in the ages 6–18 and divided into seven separate categories. These numbers rank Javornicek among the largest folklore groups in the Czech Republic.
Following the recommendation of the Academy of Sciences, Javornicek focuses on the Moravia region and especially on the Wallachian, Brno and Horacko areas. For the performances Javornicek uses the dance, music and song sections. Music is provided by the own cimbalom music. From 1968 Javornicek cooperates with the local musical school who has provided us with the seventh cimbalom music.
Specifically our group represents the oldest age category of Javornicek, with children between 15 and 18 years of age. We have been dancing and singing together since the age of six and we look forward to showing our folklore and our traditions in other countries. Together with our live cimbalom music, we dance and sing songs that are based on folk traditions left to us by our ancestors. Our dances are mostly paired – lyrical and spirited and are accompanied by songs about the concerns of rural people more than a hundred years ago – about love, war, work and the miracles of nature.
We can offer a varied program for up to 90 minutes. We also have dances about traditional crafts with props and we intersperse the performances with separate musical numbers of our cimbalom music. As experience has shown, the kids are able to perform several times a day, in the evening hours as well. Even the most difficult program can be done by a group of thirty dancers and musicians. We can also present dances where the spectators are encouraged to participate as well.
Throughout its existence, Javornicek has travelled throughout the world. Active in the folklore festivals in France, Portugal, Russia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Poland where we received many awards. Members of the group represented Czech Republic also in the USA, Japan, Belgium, Cuba, Denmark and Syria, South Korea. On the local competition grounds, Javornicek is a regular participant and also a regular winner. As an example, we can state the Straznice fairs or the last Folklore Festival of youth exhibition in 1998 where we were awarded the first prize in both categories and were part of the National Exhibition.
Not only during the summer, but also the remainder of the year is filled with activities. Close cooperation with adult folklore group „Javornik“ leads to successful placement of kids that have reached the adult level and would like to continue with such activity. Except regular practice sessions in the Centre for Free Time in Luzanky, Javornicek organizes amusement parties, sport trips, instructor and leader training, and weekend dance concentrations. Many appearances are also made in schools, balls, exhibitions, in social centers always ready to make happy those that need it most. Javornicek educates the oldest into volunteers and the youngest group is admitted without competition or tests.
Basic Information:
Name: Youth folklore group Javornicek
Manager: Tony Malec, mobil: +420.602.321.325
Status: Non-for–profit organization
Contact Adress: Tony Malec, Podveská 39, 624 00 Brno, Czech Republic – Europe
E-mail: antmalec@seznam.cz / javornicek@javornicek.cz
http: www.javornicek.cz