The International Festival of Children’s Folk Ensembles "Costumed Dolls" (MF DFSKB) supports the efforts of children to meet informally, get to know each other, interpret the most beautiful traditions, songs, and dances of our people, and preserve them for future generations. Its aim is education through art.

The festival creates opportunities for the presentation of children and youth under 18 years of age in the context of showcasing intangible cultural heritage and folk traditions in children's folklore ensembles. It is characterized by the fact that the ensembles from the Tatra region invite their guests from abroad with whom they exchange costumed dolls in the Gala Program. These dolls are also symbols of each ensemble and the festival, dressed in the traditional costumes of the participating groups. The festival is dedicated to children as part of International Children’s Day, and therefore usually takes place on the first weekend of June. It has been organized since 1997 and is unique and original in its content.

This festival is traditionally held in Slovakia, in the Tatra region, in the cities of: High Tatras, Poprad, Kežmarok, Svit, Veľká Lomnica, and others. The venues are cultural houses, city centers, castle courtyards, squares, schools, as well as the natural beauty of the Tatras.

The main idea of the festival is the presentation of children's folklore ensembles from Slovakia and abroad. The ensembles perform their own shows and teach traditional games, songs, and dances in creative workshops, where children from local primary schools also participate.

Source: Podtatranské osvetové stredisko