For decades, Lúčnica pleases the wide public with its artistry. Recently, it returned from Mexico and US Tour where the whole world applauded Lúčnica and Slovakia at the UN in New York. Now it returnes to Slovakia's capital to present its best of.
A true cultural phenomenon, Lúčnica is one the Slovakia's best known trademarks which has managed to move and excite spectators with its art for 70 years. This November, 45-member dance ensemble, 14-member orchestra and 5-member choral ensemble will perform in Bratislava.
Returning from the tour, Lúčnica is going to present its skill and art to Slovak audiences on the 17th and the 18th of November in Istropolis, Bratislava, with the „Representation program“ which consists of its most successful programs and represents the most characteristic folklore regions of Slovakia. The performance displays diverse artistic expressions full of rich folk tradition in dance, music, national costumes, ranging from delicate feminine dances, jolly and witty ones to vigorous pair dances and typical virtuoso dances of men.
Slovakia had the unique opportunity to present its culture and art during the UN celebrations in front of the representatives of 193 countries of the world. There is not going to be such a respresentative and diverse audience as that for which this artistic ensemble performed at the UN. Lúčnica has truly become a cultural ambassador of Slovakia and it is a part of our country brand. The ensemble performed at the UN under the logo „Lúčnica & Slovakia, Good Idea“, thus contributing to the promotion of Slovakia in connection with its new branding.
Unlike many folk music cultures – which have in fact died in real terms and are only resuscitated for special events – Slovakia's is alive and kicking, particularly if you adventure into the mountains of Central and Eastern Slovakia. National folk songs, music, dances and handmade costumes are manifold and diverse, representing the specific regions of the country, each filled with its own poetics and dynamic esprit.
The Slovak National Folklore Ballet Lúčnica has been the international face of Slovakia's traditional folk music for over seven decades. Its performances, complete not just with the vocals and rhythms, but also the costumes of Slovak folk, have been instrumental in preserving and showcasing to the world what is surely one of the European continent's most spectacular traditional musical legacies.
And what about Lúčnica and its plans for 2018? Despite the approaching 70th anniversary of its foundation, Lúčnica is certainly no old lady! It is forever young and it will prove and show its dance energy in February in a one-of-a-kind program „Štefan Nosáľ 90“, which is to celebrate the 91st birthday of its leading choreographer, professor Štefan Nosáľ, who, sadly, passed away earlier this year. The performance stands out also because a unique archive material is to be presented on big screen to trace the artistic and cultural heritage of professor Nosáľ and the artistic ensemble Lúčnica since its early beginnings. The „Štefan Nosáľ 90“ program is going to present the art of 45-members of the dance ensemble, 40-members of the orchestra and 35-members of the Lúčnica chorus.
The Slovak artistic ensemble Lúčnica, an awardee of the highest rank at home and abroad, symbolizes the original culture of Slovak nation, genuine in its dance, instrumental and vocal expressions. Slovak national art has found an honest representative in Lúčnica, abundantly spreading its unique and rich heritage to the excited domestic as well as international audience. It has become an artistic and generational link between the traditions from the past and the turbulent yet strikingly beautiful present.
