Traditional dance connecting people: Folklore ensemble Linđo

The folklore ensemble “Linđo” is an amateur group founded in 1964 in Dubrovnik to provide another important tourist attraction for the City. Today it has over 200 active members of all ages from 12years up. Many generations of Dubrovnik people have passed through the Linđo ensemble over the years, more recently being joined by local children and young people in schools and kindergartens. Organised workshops of music and dance that are part of the Croatian cultural heritage are now part of the ‘Treasures of Linđo’ project. Through this project younger generations are able to contribute to the safeguarding of our heritage.

Since the members of the ensemble all have their own work, schools and other obligations, attending “Linđo” demands a lot of dedication and sacrifice. Unfortunately, interest in this kind of dance is declining over the years as part of the ‘modernisation’ of society and the ever increasing range of activities that are available to young people. But in spite of that trend, Linđo still manages to maintain a solid number of active members. It offers a unique opportunity to combine learning about Croatian history with keeping fit and the chance for some foreign travel.

The first audition was held in 1964, and since then more than three thousand members have passed through the ensemble, dancing, singing and playing in the original national costumes and promoting the culture of our city and our country. Linđo has a collection of about 1,500 original national costumes accumulated over the years and their value cannot be assessed.

Since its inception Linđo has made many appearances throughout the world. The first was recorded in 1966 in Italy, and since then Linđo has successfully brought the names of Dubrovnik and Croatia to Italy, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, the USA, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica…

In the French city of Dijon in 1973 Linđo won the gold medal for dancing and the gold plate for performing folk music, and was rated as among the best folklore ensembles of Europe. For all these reasons Linđo is today a vital and indispensable part of Dubrovnik, its symbol and proud bearer of the nickname ‘The Good Spirit of the City’.

 

Photos by: Linđo