Throughout the week of June 12-19, international groups will perform for area schools, youth and senior citizen organizations and for civic clubs.
The International Folk Festival, which began in 1982, was responsible for bringing musical and dance groups from over 50 countries to Rutherford County. Some of the countries that have visited the community are Austria, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Luxembourg, Mexico, Russia, Scotland, Sicily, Thailand and Yugoslavia. After the festival ended in 1997, there was an increasing interest in reviving this celebration of international heritage and music. The festival was reintroduced to downtown Murfreesboro in 2004, with groups from Finland, France and Mexico performing.
The festival is being coordinated by the International Folkloric Society (IFS). IFS is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and preserve international cultural heritage with a primary focus on the arts. Formed in 1986, IFS has played a large role in sending traditional Appalachian dancers and musicians to festivals all over the world. Likewise, IFS has made it possible for overseas performers to bring their talents and heritage to our local communities.
In order to maintain foreign relationships, it is the policy of IFS to keep the expenses of international guests to a minimum. Upon arrival in the community, IFS ensures that all food, lodging and transportation are provided to performers (excluding international airfare). In the past, IFS has relied heavily on the assistance of government grants to help cover the expenses of bringing foreign groups to the community. However, IFS is now looking for the opportunity to bring a much larger scale event directly to Murfreesboro’s downtown area.
The goal of IFS is to create a festival that has the potential to become bigger and better each year, resulting in increased tourism and local business patronage. In order to make this festival a success, IFS is hoping to acquire financial assistance from corporations, foundations, individuals and government agencies.
Schedule:
Tuesday, June 14th
Smyrna Public Library
400 Enon Springs Road W
Smyrna, TN 37167
Germany 10:00 a.m.
Free to the public
St. Clair Senior Center
325 ST. Clair St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Puerto Rico 10:00 a.m.
Free to the public
Wednesday, June 15th
Linebaugh Public Library
105 W. Vine St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Czech Republic 10:00 a.m.
Free to the public.
Thursday, June 16th
TBA
Friday, June 17th
Lebanon High School
500 Blue Devil Blvd.
Lebanon, TN 37087
$10.00 /person 7:00 pm
Sponsor- Lebanon H.S. FFA
Alumni
For more information contact
Summer Majors
615-218-8802
Saturday, June 18th
East side of the
courthouse square
8:30-12:30 P.M.
Bring your own lawn
chairs. Free to the
Public (all groups)
Puerto Rico will perform at
the Train Depot
down town Smyrna 11:30 am
free to the public
Hosted by Carpe Artista
