Half-century celebration of the traditional Gütersloh folklore group
In the heart of Guetersloh, Germany, the city recently celebrated its 200th anniversary of city rights and the 50th anniversary of the Folklore Circle. This vibrant group, which has been a significant part of Guetersloh's association life for half a century, organised a folklore festival that brought together dance pairs of various ages, from 2 to 85, demonstrating the power of music and dance to connect people and overcome boundaries.
The Folklore Circle, initially a youth group, has evolved over the years to welcome people of all ages. Every Tuesday, from 7:15 PM to 9 PM, the group meets at the Forum of the Carl-Miele-Berufskolleg Guetersloh, Wilh.-Wolf-Str./ Corner Wiesenstraße. The group's leader, Georg Chatzigeorgiou, has been instrumental in its growth and development.
The festival was a testament to the Folklore Circle's mission: to preserve and develop cultural traditions, build bridges between people and cultures, and promote peace and international understanding. Nine groups from seven countries participated, contributing over 160 dancers, musicians, alphorn players, and flag twirlers. The unique and impressive events included an alphorn concert and folk dance at the altar, and a colourful scene of festively dressed people singing a common song for peace.
The festival kicked off with diverse performances in the city centre, followed by an impressive parade. The grand finale was a ball in the Stuwe-Weißenberg dance school, which welcomed over 200 guests, including Mayor Matthias Trepper. Despite the seven countries from which the nine groups hailed not being specified, the festival was a resounding success, showcasing the rich cultural diversity that the Folklore Circle has been promoting for decades.
Looking ahead, Georg Chatzigeorgiou has plans for an international trip in 2026 to the Europeade in Bergamo, Italy. The Folklore Circle continues to invite groups from various countries to participate in folklore festivals, furthering its goal of fostering cultural exchange and understanding.
For more information about the Folklore Circle, contact 05205 / 70987. The group's history, which dates back to September 1975, is a testament to the power of music and dance in bringing people together.
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