Open invitation to Rusyns gala concerts

October 17th, 2009 (Saturday) sees the best interpreters of Rusyn folk songs accompanied by the Chemlon Folk Group from Humenné at 6 pm at the main stage of Jonáš Záborský Theatre in Prešov. The event is held as part of the greatest and most popular national project of the Rusyn Revival in Slovakia “Songs of My Home“.
As a part of the 8th year of the festival of Rusyn folk song, the laureate of “Songs of My Home” 2009 will be announced. The singers for this traditional national competition are chosen from regional rounds, mostly organised in North-East Slovakia. There, a committee of specialists chooses the best Rusyn singers for the national round. The competition has two categories – children and adult. Two Rusyn folk songs from the region in question are required at the selection round; the organisers prefer authentic songs or songs that have not yet been recorded.
This year’s children’s category took place in Orlov, Jakubovany and Šambron (in the Stará Ľubovňa region), and, consequently, in the village of Chmeľová (in the Bardejov region). The gala concert saw the announcement of this year’s laureate – Andrejka Sokoľáková from Kamienka (the Stará Ľubovňa region), a small Rusyn singer with a big voice.
The concerts of the adult category are yet to take place – on October 15th, 2009 in Gerlachov and Beloveža (the Bardejov region). On October 16th, 2009, lovely tones of Rusyn folk songs will be heard in Malý Lipník and Jakubovany (the Stará Ľubovňa region), as well as in Stará Ľubovňa itself – here, the organisers prepared two selection rounds with concerts. As the finale of this national competition, a gala concert will be held in Prešov, where the best of the best singers will perform. As a part of the abundant programme, a gala performance will be given by the popular PUĽS folk group from Prešov. If you like Rusyn folklore, authentic Rusyn songs and the originality of Rusyns, you will surely find what your heart desires at the gala concert.
You are all welcome to the concerts of Rusyn folk songs in Gerlachov, Beloveža, Malý Lipník, Jakubovany and Stará Ľubovňa, as well as the gala concert in Prešov!
S. Lysinová, Secretariat of Rusyn Revival in Slovakia