Folklore ensembles from all over the world present their cultures and face the various juries and the audience. The host is the local Wossidlo ensemble.
The regional association djo - German Youth in Europe Mecklenburg-Vorpommern would like to organize together with all its partners the "Grand Prix of Folklore - 32nd International Folklore Dance Festival for the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern" from July 21 - 27, 2025 in the amber town of Ribnitz-Damgarten, the district of Vorpommern-Rügen and the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which will be dedicated to youth in 2025.
The Mecklenburg-Pomeranian folklore ensemble "Richard Wossidlo" from Ribnitz-Damgarten with its youth dance group will once again host this festival and invite youth folklore dance groups from Germany and abroad to this dance marathon.
The "Grand Prix of Folklore" is known worldwide beyond our national borders. The dance festival was included in the "CIOFF® Calendar of Festivals" due to the uniqueness of its organization and its excellent quality. CIOFF® is an accredited non-governmental organization that advises the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. For CIOFF® festivals, there are very specific framework conditions that every festival should adhere to. For example, all groups must have daily contact with each other in order to ensure an exchange of ideas and thus allow friendships to develop. Every year, an average of 120 folklore ensembles from around 60 countries around the world apply to take part. The festival conditions are strict. The costumes, melodies, dance steps and customs must be authentic and of good quality. A high standard that the host of the "Grand Prix of Folklore", the Mecklenburg-Pomeranian folklore ensemble "Richard Wossidlo", sets itself. With a lot of verve and energy, in colorful traditional costumes and to cheerful music, the participating dance groups tell the customs and traditions of their homeland through dance. The audience is not only immersed in foreign cultures, but can also get an idea of local customs and how similar they are to those of other countries. Eight international folklore ensembles are scheduled to take part.
With the "32nd Grand Prix of Folklore" we are pursuing numerous goals that we want to achieve with our program and content.
Our International Folklore Dance Festival offers an insight into the lives of our ancestors, as the dances and songs tell the story of everyday life, traditions and customs. In this way, the intangible cultural heritage is not only preserved but also reflected in the present day. Folklore dance occupies a prominent position here, as it occurs together with folk music in practically every culture.
Especially in our district of Vorpommern-Rügen, the dance groups will once again perform in many villages as part of the dance carousel and bring foreign customs to life. After 31 years, our International Folklore Dance Festival is deeply rooted in the amber town of Ribnitz-Damgarten and the district of Vorpommern-Rügen. The locals love their festival and for many tourists it is a special highlight of their vacation. The members of the Mecklenburg-Pomeranian folklore ensemble also enjoy the contact with foreign cultures. There is always a lively exchange about folklore, foreign cities and countries as well as contacts. Many friendships have already been made and there is always great joy when we meet again at other festivals around the world. These are all unique experiences that will stay with our members for a lifetime, experiences that they will take back to their families and circles of friends, bringing the world a little closer together.
The main venue is the festival site in Ribnitz-Damgarten. Events take place here every day. At the opening program, all dance groups present themselves and draw the starting numbers for the competition programs. Young and old can join in with local and international folk dances during the joint street dancing. In the various judging programs, there are the categories solo dance, musician prize, jury prize and audience favorite. The winners are chosen at the closing ceremony and all the dance groups dance their farewells. In addition to the folklore groups' programs, local shanty choirs, orchestras and folk dance groups will also perform.
The "Grand Prix of Folklore - International Folklore Dance Festival for the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern" in Ribnitz-Damgarten can be experienced free of charge at all times. Our program appeals to young and old as well as all social classes.
