Professional Documents
Culture Documents
M.M.J.
(AKUD MIKA MITROVI - JARAC)
Belgrade Serbia
ABOUT COMPANY
The ensemble performs the exciting kind of program, which has won fame for company of dancers,
singers and musicians in many corners of Europe. Under the artistic direction of Srboljub Ninkovic,
the artists perform ethnically inspired dance compositions representing the cultural heritage of
Serbian people.
By virtue of the wide topographical differences of Serbia, each area has enjoyed its own folk
traditions for centuries. The program clearly illustrates this fact.
Exotic and colorful costumes, based on authentic originals, intriguing melodies and complex
rhythms supplement the artists performances which have been called 'virtuoso' by more than one
dance critics.
Theatrical magic of the group has been on view in some fifteen countries including Germany,
Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Romania, Turkey, Slovakia, Belgium The company has
appeared in many international festivals, and in a number of famous competitions they have been
winners.
The original company was founded in 1947 as one of the wings of the Association for Art and
Culture of Medical school of Belgrade's University.
Ever since then, thousands of students of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Veterinary Science
and all the other faculties of the University of Belgrade, have been the part of the folk dances and
songs ensemble, the folk music orchestra and all the other sections, for which they received
numerous acknowledgements as amateurs. Many of them have become PhDs, respected University
professors, and the true representatives of their facilities organization and work.
War conflicts and sanctions in former Yugoslavia caused the cessation of the ensemble work at the
end of 1993. Nevertheless, enthusiasm did not disappear and the former members of the society
reunited on 10th October 2002 with intention to regain the respect ensemble previously had. We
have organized a spectacular concert in the leading concert hall in the country - Sava Centar in
2004, after which we started thorough work on making the programme modern. The repertoire
abounds in choreographies which represent a completely new approach to the stage - traditional art
expressed through entire interpretation of not only dance and music, but the production design,
dramaturgy and everything that gives the complete stage - artistic experience, all governed by
celebrated Serbian choreographer, our artistic director apart from the 1980, Mr Srboljub Ninkovic.
We are the only winners, from the former Yugoslavia, of the European folklore festival of
the Academic Cultural and Artistic Societies in Zvolen, Slovakia. Not before, nor after us,
no academic society from Serbia managed to reach the European peak in folklore.
For its exceptional quality, the ensemble had the honour to perform on the renowned festival
Libertas in Dubrovnik as the only representative of the amateur societies of former
Yugoslavia, along with the professional ensembles Lado, Kolo, Tanec and Shota
Except for us, no other ensemble had the honour so far.
For its artistic quality, the society was acknowledged by the University of Belgrade and
promoted into its third Academic Society in 1984.
CONCERT PROGRAMME
ABOUT CHOREOGRAPHIES
Dances from Obrenovac
Obrenovac is a small city in the vicinity of Belgrade on the river Sava. The dances from these
regions resemble those from the umadija, only they bear also the characteristics and influences of
the dances from Vojvodina (north) to which it is separated by the Sava River itself. The costumes
are characterized by the women's head cover decorated with silver coins, and the red color that
prevails on girls costumes.
Dances from Pirot
People from the surroundings of Pirot (Southeast Serbia) are well known for their exceptional
dances, full of jumps and quivers. As opposed to the dances from other parts of Serbia, these dances
include those danced in couples, as is the Katanka shown in this program.
Dances from Sarajevo
Sometimes, at a festive day, an occasional passer-by can witness folk dances in their original form.
Several dances of the Serbian population, in their original costumes and to the accompaniment of
the tambura and singing, will show a part of the rich folk inheritance of the region in which together
live the Serbs, the Croats and the Bosnians.
Hungarian Dances from Vojvodina
Among the many nationalities that inhabit Vojvodina, the Hungarians are particularly interesting for
their vivid folklore. Along with famous Tchardash, there is the merry boys competition in which
each dancer shows off his dancing abilities.
Dances from Peter
The archaic costumes and dances from Peter are still utmost attractive, in spite of the fact that they
have remained unchanged over centuries. The traditional culture of the movement and unique
costumes emanate a strange inner power.
Dances of the Shoppi
The temperament dances of the shepherds from the Stara Planina, the mountain that makes the
border between Serbia and Bulgaria. The dancers imitate, in their special way, the gestures of the
horses and thus gave air to their temperament.
The Dance of Glamo
This is one of the most characteristic folk dances of Western Balkans. The instrumental
accompaniment is made up for by the rhythm created by the steps and jingling of the jewellery that
decorates the girls costume.
CONTACT PERSON
Nikola Stojicevic
Fax: +381 11 344 94 89
Mobile: +381 63 281 450
E-mail: nikola@mmj.org.rs
Website: www.mmj.org.rs