Czech Republic – "SLEZAN"
The Folklore Ensamble "SLEZAN" from Český Těšín was established in 1955. It presents dances, songs and customs from Těšín Silesia, the region streching away from Bohumin (in the north) to Slovakia (in the south). There are several kinds of folk costumes that are to be distinguished during the choir’s performances: the folk costume of the Těšín – originating in the central part of the Těšín region, the Highlander folk costume – coming from the part of Beskydy Mountains in Těšín region, the Jablunkov folk costume – from the town Jablunkov, and the Orlová folk costume with the miners' costume – from the northern patr of the Těšín region. These folk costumes are exact reconstructions of the origin costumes from the climax of the 19th century.
"SLEZAN" has performed hundreds of concerts on various accasions such as folklore parades and festivals, which took place in the Czech Rebublic, as well as in most European countries (Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, India, etc.) and also in Turkey, Mongolia, India and Cyprus. The choir was awarded with many prizes of regional, national and international importance.
The Folklore Ensamble "SLEZAN" from Český Těšín has 35 members. About 25 of them are in the dance group and 10 in the cymbalon band. The biggest inflow of young dancers can be found in the Children Folklor Ensemble "SLEZANEK". "SLEZANEK" is appreciated by those being in favor of folk cultue, talented in dancing or singing and speaking the regional dialect. Its choral performances inludes lyrics which remained unchanged from the time when they where sung or spoken by the ancestors of Silesia. The aim of the choir is to promote and support interest and general recognition of the Silesian folk arts. The long-time work of the choir will be crowned with success if the folklore ensamble manages to pass as much as possible from its rich cultural heritage, beauty and values of the Silesian ancestors to the next generation.