Blairgowrie’s own international dance group brought back three trophies from the ninth International Dance Festival in Montenegro, in June and July. International Ensemble ‘Balkan’ consists of 25 dancers born in Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Russia, Belarus, Israel, Angola, Egypt, Zimbabwe and South Africa. They train at the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre. The group was awarded the Grand Prix for the Best Folk Group, the Best Choreographer (given to founder and choreographer Zoran Lagator) and a special award from the director of the festival.
Lagator said that the feeling he felt when the group won the awards was “too exciting”. He explained that other groups looked down on International Ensemble ‘Balkan’ because they came from South Africa, but the group showed them how good they were. “It was nice to perform under the South African flag,” he added. Lagator started the group in December 2011, and though at the beginning there were only five dancers, the group has grown and achieved success in multiple competitions, and holds an annual concert. They will participate at the 2014 International Delphic Games in Durban in November.
Details: International Ensemble ‘Balkan’ unionbalkan@gmail.com or founder and choreographer Zoran Latagor 079 734 5484.
