8^th International Folklore Festival in Bissegem

                                           

This was on the 11^th to  the 17^th of August in Belgium where the 8^th International Folklore Festival titled “Friendship” took place. Tarbatu participated with nine dance couples and three musicians: Johanna-Adele Jüssi, Martin Müller and Ago Niglas.

We started our journey from Tallinn to Belgium on Monday at 1:30 am. The organizers met us in Brussels airport after which we waited for the Irish and then started our trip to Bissegem via bus. After arrival we had lunch which was followed by our division into families who were our hosts for the nights ahead.

On Tuesday we visited local places like Ieper, Oostende and also took a stroll by the sea.  When we came back we had a stage rehearsal. On Wednesday morning we visited the city of Brugge with the assistance of a guide.  In the afternoon we had our first performance. This was in Vissershus together with the Irish and both of us gave a half-hour concert.

After the concert we packed our stuff and, together with the Irish, took off to Da Panne where we performed another concert. On Thursday morning before the performance to the elderly with the locals - the French and Irish - we stopped by some of the larger beer and chocolate stores.

There was a dance party in the evening in the local pub. Our musicians together with the Irish musicians performed well. On Friday afternoon there was another similar concert followed by a dance afterparty where each country presented their folk dances. These were later danced together.

Saturday was the day of the gala concert where all six dance groups – French, English, Irish, Estonian and two local groups performed. After the concert a group called The Lexy – Boys played music for our dancing enjoyment.

On Sunday there was similar gala concert outside and this time employees from the Estonian Embassy in Brussels were among the audience.

We started our return trip to Estonia Monday morning at 4 am. It took 10 hours to get back to Tartu.

More pictures are available here: http://www.liesdecoutere.be/eglantier