THE final preparations are being put in place for the 55th Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance.
The first country to touchdown and jet into Billingham were Ensemble Bagrati from Georgia, who will be entertaining audiences with their unique style of traditional military inspired dance.
Other countries showcasing their talents this year are Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ireland, India, Slovakia, South Korea and of course the United Kingdom.
BIFF is being supported by Stockton Borough Council and Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project grant.
The festival programme has been devised by Artistic Director Olga Maloney and Balbir Singh of Balbir Singh Dance Company.
The dancers from Colombia
Olga Maloney said: “There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere created by the festival. It manages to capture the imagination of people of all ages as everyone who has grown up in the region has at some point got a memory sparked by the Billingham International Folkore Festival of World Dance.
“The festival has been able to reinvent itself down the years as it manages to provide a stage for traditional world dance at the same time as giving a platform for new and up-and-coming dance styles from home and abroad.
“This year is extra special as we are dedicating our Follow your Dreams theme to the legendary figure skater John Curry, who was one of the leading skaters of his generation in what would’ve been his seventieth year.”
Members of the South Korea dance group
The John Curry inspired shows include The Creative Spirit of John Curry, an ice spectacular featuring the Dancing on Ice superstars Mark Hanretty, Vanessa Bauer and Nina Ulanova accompanied by a whole host of other international figure skating champions, all taking to the ice at the Billingham Forum Ice Arena.
There will be an opening and closing ceremony, festival arena shows, a night of Indian food and dance, and a host of children’s workshops.
The Parade of Nations will take place through Billingham Town Centre tomorrow at 1.30pm. After the parade, the Opening Gala will take place at 3pm.
For more information visit
www.billinghamfestival.co.ukor call 01642-553220.
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