A group of young musicians from Serbia have taken control over the nerves of the Salalah Tourism Festival (STF) visitors with their energetic, rhythmic and action filled dance and music performances. Despite coming from different professional courses like information technology (IT), business management, medicine or humanities, all the performers in the troupe are young and energetic committed to deliver memorable performances. Their passion for dancing, also a beloved hobby, has taken to places and it is how they spend their vacations. Some of them are well placed in their fields of knowledge, but their hobby for them is worth keeping and pursuing.
For these youngsters, they cannot exchange the learning opportunities they get along the way for anything else. Not only has dancing keep them in shape, it allowed them to see different countries, meet the people who have entirely different culture from them and appreciate the differences that make the planet diverse.
Bubbly and charming, it was fascinating to uncover the truth behind their actual work and why they have such keenness to pursue their hobby.
Nikola is a software developer. Nina is an electrical engineer. Alexandar is a traffic engineer; Jadranka is pursuing Masters in pharmacy; Marco pursuing Electrical Engineering; Marina on PR Management; Bojana is a student of pharmacy; Vauja and Mladeu are software engineering students; Mihailo is an Artistc Director; and Jovan is a student of electrical engineering.
They are part of IFA Perla, which is an International Folklore Ensemble that promotes the dance of the nations’ worldwide.
“IFA Perla originated in Belgrade in November 2015 organised by a group of young people who are well aware how important connections is between people, cultures and nations. Dance is a great way to learn to respect differences, to enjoy someone else’s cultural wealth and heritage and respect your own,” said Serbian dance troupe leader Mihailo.
It is for this belief that these youngsters decided to take the road. To them, the experience will enrich them culturally, educationally and socially by spreading the message of love through dance and music globally.
“We came to Salalah Tourism Festival to represent our country Serbia and to show through dance, the culture and history of our people. Our dances will show rich culture of different regions of Serbia, through different costumes, steps and music,” said Mihailo.
“The most popular Serbian dances are Sumadija, Pastirske Igre, Vranje, and Vojvodina,” Mihailo shared.
“Sumadija is the dance from the central part of Serbia, from the heart of Serbia by which we are globally recognized. Pastirske Igre is known as shepherd’s dance. It comes from the eastern part of Serbia. Vranje is the dance from the south of Serbia, where Turkish influence is noticeable in the costumes and music, and Vojvodina is the dance from the north part of Serbia, where you can see the influence of Hungary,” he added.
All the troupe members are first timers in Salalah though have visited Muscat and Dubai a few years earlier.
They found Salalah different for its nature, heritage and distinct culture.
“We are really happy to see the people’s pride for their own culture, which is missing or gradually losing ground in many other parts of the world in the name of development,” said performer Jadranka.
TEXT BY Kaushalendra Singh
Photos by Bosko Gajic
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