Wheaton Arts Presents Balkan Traditions and Cultures: A Day of Celebration

I would like to introduce you to a special program presented by the Education/Folklife Center at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville, New Jersey. It is “Balkan Traditions and Cultures: A Day of Celebration,” on September 15 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. This program is part of the special Communities and Cultures of the Balkans project which highlights the folk culture of those communities in South Jersey whose ethnic backgrounds are related to the countries located on the Balkan Peninsula in South Eastern Europe. Artists, musicians, dancers and authentic Balkan cuisine food will provide an introduction to the unique Balkan cultural heritage both in the South Jersey region and abroad.  

WHEATON ARTS PRESENTS “BALKAN TRADITIONS AND CULTURES: A DAY OF CELEBRATION”

ON SEPTEMBER 15

MILLVILLE, NJ – WheatonArts presents, “Balkan Traditions and Cultures: A Day of Celebration,” on September 15 from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. This program is part of the special Communities and Cultures of the Balkans project which highlights the folk culture of those communities in South Jersey whose ethnic backgrounds are related to the countries located on the Balkan Peninsula in South Eastern Europe. Artists, musicians, dancers and authentic Balkan cuisine food will provide an introduction to the unique Balkan cultural heritage both in the South Jersey region and abroad.  

The Balkan communities in South Jersey are a diverse group representing all of the eleven Balkan states: Turkey, Greece, Macedonia (former Republic of Yugoslavia), Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Slovenia. Some groups came to the U.S. hundreds of years ago, some others after World War II, but many are new immigrants who settled in the South Jersey region over the last 20 years.

The day includes music and dance performances by Merita Halili (vocal) and Rait Hyseni (accordion); Bosilek Bulgarian Folk Dance Ensemble; Sviraj Balkan Band; Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey; Lyuti Chushki Balkan Music Band, Hora Romanian Dancers, Opa Greek Band; Turkish Dancers of the Alevi organization “Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Associates;” Ivaylo Koutchev (kaval and tapan) and Petrana Koutcheva (vocal); Georgi Doychev (gaida); Rozafati Albanian Dancers; and The Dance Group of the Bulgarian School “Rodina.” Visitors will be invited to participate in various dances with the musicians and performers at the end of the day.

Special demonstrations in folk and traditional arts will introduce audiences to the unique experiences of century old imagery and creativity. Featured artists will include: Vasil Anastasov (Bulgarian Icon Painting); Miriam Milgram (Weaving and Beadwork from Bulgaria, Albania and Macedonia); Dochka ucenova (Bulgarian Calligraphy); Alexandria Marguccio (Slovenian Bobbin Lace); Ivan Nanev (Bulgarian Woodcarving); Elena Stefanovic (Macedonian Embroidery and Crochet); Bingul Sevimpli (Turkish Ebru Painting); and Chrisoula Athans (Greek Crochet).

In addition, guests are invited to visit the exhibition, “Traditional Costumes of the Balkans,” in the Education/Folklife Center. The exhibition story reveals the complex character of the costume as created in a combination of various traditional art forms, such as weaving, embroidery, metal, wood, glass, and clay work. It interprets the costume making techniques and designs in the context of their social, ritual and aesthetic meanings.

The exhibition also offers a historical perspective to the traditional costumes of the Balkans by showcasing examples of their older village or urban versions versus adapted to stage performance versions; by comparing old techniques of costume making with contemporary ones; or by interpreting traditional designs with modern application of their elements.

Currently the WheatonArts museum stores offer handcrafted artworks that reflect a wide range of both traditional and contemporary styles related to the Balkan craft traditions.
The celebration is included in the price of admission to WheatonArts. Adults $10.00, Senior Adults $9.00 and Students $7.00. Children five and under are free. All children 17 and under are admitted free every Sunday. It is free to shop and stroll except during special outdoor events.

For more information about the Education/Folklife Center or WheatonArts visit www.wheatonarts.org or call 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800. WheatonArts is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5p.m., through December 30, 2012.

WheatonArts strives to make exhibits, events and programs accessible to all visitors. Therefore, a two week notice is required for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from PNC Arts Alive, Bank of America, New Jersey Cultural Trust, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State. Additional funding provided through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism. Major support for “Communities and Cultures of the Balkans” has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and other generous supporters.

Visit www.wheatonarts.org/downjersey/eventsandprograms/#day for more information and to view and/or print the brochure for Communities and Cultures of the Balkans.

Janet Peterson
Marketing and Public Relations Director
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
1501 Glasstown Rd.
Millville, NJ 08332-1566