About us
Silesian folklore ensemble of Helena Salichová works at VŠB -- Technical University of Ostrava. All the folklore material that our group works with and artistically interprets in its programme comes from the region of Opavian Silesia which is an area surrounding the city of Ostrava. Ostrava is one of the biggest cities in the Czech Republic and lies in its north-eastern part near the borders with Poland and Slovakia.
More about the region: Opavian Silesia is an area surrounding Ostrava from the river Odra in the southwest to the state border with Poland and further from Ostrava to the northwest. This particular territory is divided into three minor districts -- Klimkovsko, Opavsko and Hlucinsko. Each of them has its own specialities in speech, melodic of songs, traditional costumes and folk customs.
The ensemble is made up of dancers accompanied by The Dulcimer Band of the Ensemble of Helena Salichová. The Children's Ensemble of Helena Salichová developed from the main group and now works as an independent body and is managed by experienced members from the SSHS.
History
The ensemble was formed under the name of Satina in 1977 by the ethnographer Hana Podešvová and the teacher Anna Buroňová. One year later the dulcimer music group was established and Jaromír Dadák became its leader. He is also the author of all music arrangements. In 1986 the children's group was founded.
In 1982 the name of the academic artist Helena Salichová (1895 -- 1975), the collector of region folklore, was put in the name of the ensemble. Her work, particularly the song records, has become the foundation for great music components of the ensemble repertoire. The valuable records registered by František Sušil, František Myslivec and Jan Vyhlídal are further resources of songs.
Since 1996 the ensemble has been acting at the VSB -Technical University of Ostrava.
Programme
The ensemble programme can cover either full-length concerts or short dancing, singing and musical performances.
The repertoire of our ensemble is very varied. It tries to revive the Opavian Silesia village folklore. The repertoire consists of playful, love, sorrowful dances and also work dances.
(More about the dances:
The four-piece dance cycles (The Variations of Taněc, The Polka Is Going) captures the development of Taněc (Starodávný -- The Old-time dance) and the Polka in Opava region.
The further stylized choreographies display except village folklore the customs and habits to the audience. (Opavian Silesia Christmas Carols, The Welcome of Spring, The Flail Dance -- dancing on working theme, The Cupek Dance, The Chlopsky -- The Menfolk Dance, The Hatdance, The little shoemaker's wife in the yard -- funny playful dance etc.)
Events
Our ensemble organizes various folklore and social events throughout the year.
- Slezský bál -- The Silesian Ball -- this big social event is held every year in January and is organized by the ensemble whose members prepare funny programme for all visitors and participants who are especially welcome wearing traditional folk costumes.
- Třebovický koláč -- the folklore festival Třebovice Pie (Třebovice is a part of Ostrava and the pie represents the variety of flavors that this festival brings to its visitors) is held in September and lasts 3 days.
- Vynášení Mařeny -- spring tradition held in Pustkovec (part of Ostrava).