Two exceptional cultural brands representing the highest level of Croatian and Hungarian folklore artistry will hold their first historic joint concert on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at the Croatian National Theatre in Split.
The joint concert of JEDINSTVO and BEKECS – two top national ensembles – is a project organized in synergy by FA Jedinstvo, the Split-Dalmatia County, the Franz Liszt Institute from Zagreb, the Croatian National Theatre Split, and the Consulate of the Republic of Hungary in Split, led by the doyen of the diplomatic corps, Honorary Consul of Hungary Mr. Ivo Staničić. The concert further contributes to strengthening ties between Split, Croatia, and Hungary, and to promoting cultural exchange and understanding among different communities and nations.
The audience will have the opportunity to experience some of the most beautiful traditional Hungarian dances, as well as the most representative performances from JEDINSTVO’s rich repertoire, showcasing the dance and musical traditions and folk costumes of the Croatian and Hungarian peoples.
This concert is, among other things, a result of the global success of the International Folklore Festival Split, which Jedinstvo has been organizing with great success since 2022 at the end of August, in cooperation with and support from the Split-Dalmatia County, the City of Split, the Split Tourist Board, the County Tourist Board, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia. Thanks to the great interest from dance ensembles and groups from all over the world in participating in this prestigious festival, recognized as a CIOFF International Folklore Festival, festival activities now continue throughout the calendar year, making it possible for us to enjoy international folklore productions beyond the August timeframe.
The concert by Jedinstvo and Bekecs represents a unique artistic experience that will bring the audience closer to the finest artistic achievements of these two outstanding folklore ensembles. In a two-hour program, through a blend of performances by the dance ensemble, orchestra, and Jedinstvo’s youngest groups, over 150 performers of all generations will appear on the stage of Split's cultural temple.
The Bekecs Dance Theatre comes from Nyárádszereda, a town with a rich folk dance tradition. Since 2017, it has operated as a dance ensemble. In June 2023, Bekecs became a public institution and continues its cultural mission under the name Bekecs Dance Theatre, established by the Municipality of Nyárádszereda as a subordinate institution.
The core mission of Bekecs is to preserve and transmit folk culture and tradition through the universal language of folk dance. The Bekecs Dance Theatre specializes in presenting local dances and customs, especially from the Székely Land (Transylvania), but also enjoys performing dances and traditions from other regions. The audience will have the chance to see an innovative selection of folk performances developed in recent years. The Gala Folklore Concert program includes a selection of dances from various regions: Nyárádmagyarós, Gyergyó, Feketelek, and Kalotaszeg, and also presents the rich dance heritage of Bukovina.
The Folklore Ensemble Jedinstvo Split was founded in 1919 and has been active in the city of Split for nearly 106 years, tirelessly raising generations of young citizens of Split in love and respect for tradition, showcasing the folk heritage and folklore legacy of Split and Croatia on stage. From its beginnings in 1919 as the Socialist Workers’ Choir, and later under the names Sveta Cecilija, Espero, Zora, and Sloboda, the ensemble has been known as Jedinstvo since January 1937. Today, FA Jedinstvo operates as an independent folklore ensemble of Split.
FA Jedinstvo is among Croatia's most decorated and successful amateur ensembles, with a record of 93 awards won worldwide. These include 12 medals and plaques awarded by the City of Split, two awards from the Split-Dalmatia County, and the Charter of the Republic of Croatia.