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Balkanske Igre 60th Anniversary & Spring Festival – May 23–25, 2025
Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago, (1212 E 59th St, Чикаго, IL 60637)
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Join us for a vibrant weekend of music, dance, and community as we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Ensemble Balkanske Igre and our beloved Spring Festival!
For six decades, this cherished event has brought together dancers, musicians, and folk enthusiasts to honor the traditions of the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean. This year, Maria Kuo Ignjatov and I (Galia Miloucheva Kuo) are proud to host the festival in loving memory of John, whose passion and dedication helped preserve this beautiful heritage.
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Festival Highlights:
Friday, May 23
• Welcome dinner & party @ Restaurant Mehanata (Des Plaines) – after 6pm $40/person includes dinner and party without drinks.
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Saturday, May 24
• Dance & music workshops
• Evening concert, dinner & party @ Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago
Sunday, May 25
• More workshops @ Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago
• Closing dinner & party @ Restaurant Mehanata (Des Plaines)
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Passes Available: Weekend and day passes
Co-sponsored by the Folklore Society
This is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of cultural roots, friendship, and the enduring power of tradition. Help us keep it alive — invite your friends, share the event, and come dance with us!
More info: www.balkanskeigre.org
Register online: Registration Form
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With heartfelt thanks to all who’ve supported us over the past 59 years**—performers, volunteers, friends, and community members. We couldn’t have done it without you.
❤️ Special thanks to:
Lena Birkholz & Angelina Ilieva, Zoya & Ventzi Sotirov, Kitka Folklore Group – Sts. Peter & Paul MOC, Kathy Molga, Orpheus adult group, Kosta & Yannis Economou, Sophia & Izaki Metropoulos, Verea, Konstantin Marinov, Horo – Irina Gotcheva, Kids Group Bulgarica – Yana Kopcheva, Chris Bajmakovich, Paul Collins, Mady Newfield, Michael Kuharski, Ulyana Nataliya Malgivski, VivAnov Dance Group Chicago, Tania & Valentin Ivanov, Peter Geo – Bulgarica, Nedyalko Ketev & Iliana Georgieva, Tatyana Zheleva & Kiril Zhelev, Angelina Genova, Polish Highlanders, CCEA – Mona Ng, Marvin Moehle, Barbara Bleisch, Gajdi, Galia M. Kuo and many more to come!
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