Friday, 22nd August 2003.
The participants began arriving in Karlovac in pupils' dormitory. Israel group "Eskesta" performed to children in Open Fun Football School before the official Opening ceremony. A parade was organized in the evening hours and the groups came to "Šanac" where the opening ceremony of the Festival took place. The Festival was officially opened by the President of the Festival, Mr. Željko Šančić, who, among other things, said:
"When the idea of establishing an international folklore festival was born in 1997 and then became realized in 1998, our main wish was to contribute to the recognition of traditional culture in Croatia, to present folklore in the larger cities and towns as well as in the rural regions, to contribute to the richness of cultural offerings during the summer and to develop more programs for our tourists. We also wanted to promote the truth about Croatia and Croats, as well as to bring the cultures and costumes of other nations to our citizens. So, there were many goals we wanted to achieve with this project. So far we have received positive evaluation by the CIOFF. The positive grades have enabled us to keep organizing this Festival with the headquarters in Karlovac. As such, we are inserted in the calendar of world events and it is our belief that, as a result, we have made a small contribution to the recognition of our towns, counties and country."
Mr. Šančić welcomed all guests in their native languages and wished them a pleasant stay on behalf of the organiser and the citizens of Croatia.
Saturday, 23rd August 2003.
Folk Ensembles from Albania and Israel performed in front of the trading centre "Bond". The shoppers who by chance gathered there were pleasantly surprised by their performance as well as those who came just to see them at closer range.
The evening performance took place in the Hotel "Korana-Srakovčić" terrace and captured a wide audience.
Sunday, 24th August 2003.
After breakfast the participants travelled to Istria. On the way there were opportunities to socialize and have fun. The participants were situated in the complex of the Sol Hotel. The evening performances were at the Trg Slobode, and tourist settlements Punta and Stella Maris.
Monday, 25th August, 2003.
Miss Festival contest was organized in the Hotel "Sol Koralj" during the morning. Commission chose 3 Misses (Miss Personality Erinda Zalta and Miss Elegance Elma Tafai from Albania), and Miss Festival Julia Tsoulkanidou from Greece. The awards were handed in by the president of the commission and the director of the Hotel Mr. Mario Migles.
In the evening the participants performed in tourist settlements Katoro, Sol Koralj, Sol Aurora and Ladingaj. After the performances the participants of the Festival had the opportunity to gather in tavern of the Hotel Sol Koralj where they danced and had fun until morning.
Tuesday, 26th August 2003.
During the morning the participants took the opportunity to enjoy the Adriatic coast and for sightseeing Umag.
After lunch groups went to Krk and performed after march pass at the crowded central square. They returned to Karlovac in the early morning hours and had the opportunity to experience pleasures of the Croatian coast night life during the tourist season.
Wednesday, 27th August 2003.
In the morning FE "Sikiotakia" successfully performed in the Croatian popular show "Good morning Croatia" for 25 min. March pass in Ogulin started at 8 pm and the performance took place in Culture Centre in Ogulin at 8,30 pm. Our guest group "Klek" from Ogulin performed with dances from Croatian town Split Mr. Željko Šančić and Ogulin mayor Ivan Vučić took the opportunity to greet the participants of the festival and the audience. Mayor Vučić expressed gratitude to all participants and invited them for dinner at Lake Sabljaci.
Thursday, 28th August 2003.
In the morning Mr. Božidar Joha, Karlovac Mayor, his associates, vice Mayor Mr. Martin Šimunić, Principal Marina Grčić and vice Karlovac County Prefect welcomed the participants of the Festival on behalf of town Karlovac, and Karlovac County. Karlovac Mayor and vice Karlovac County Prefect gave each groups gifts and welcomed them hoping that all the participants have a pleasant time in Croatia and go back home with good impressions. In the name of the Organization of the 6th IFF Mr. Željko Šančić and Dr. Željko Štajcer thanked the town of Karlovac and Karlovac County for their support, hoping that they will continue to help organizing this Festival. Each group presented themselves and their country. After the reception joint picture was taken.
The evening performance took place in Draganić in front of the House of Culture and Caffe bar Picasso. Mr. Josip Biličić welcomed the participants and the audience. KUD "Sv. Juraj!" from Draganić opened the evening performance with songs and dances of their district. At the end of the performance President of the Tourist community of Draganić Mr. Vladimir Turkalj handed in gifts to the participants of the Festival. FE "Sikiotakia" from Greece treated everybody with their national cuisine. Zdravac & Mišo band entertained everybody until 2 am.
Friday, 29th August 2003.
The participants of the 6th IFF formed a march pass with other groups from the Bear festival. All the Ensembles performed, including the Ensemble from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which arrived in the morning. As the special guests of the Festival FE "Bitola" from the town of Bitola presented their national dances from the East part of Macedonia.
Saturday, 30th August 2003
Groups from Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina performed in front of the market Tornado Bakin in the morning and under the canvas at the Karlovac brewery in the afternoon.
In the evening they performed on the central stage of the Sport and Recreation Center "Korana", for numerous audience, who rewarded the participants with many applauses. Dr. Željko Štajcer, director of the Festival addressed the participants of the Festival, and announced the next, 7th IFF in the year 2004. President of the Festival, Mr. Željko Šančić presented participants the gifts, and the participants exchanged gifts they brought. The closing ceremony was accompanied by many visitors and was broadcast to the listeners of Radio Karlovac and the viewers of Cable TV. The event closed the 6th International Folklore Festival, leaving new friendships and pleasant memories behind.
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