For three days in August, Prešov came alive with music, dance, traditional costumes and traditions from various corners of Europe. From 6 to 8 August 2026, the city’s historic centre became the venue for the first edition of International Folklore Festival of Countries and Traditions.
The main street in Prešov For a few days, it was transformed into a place where different cultures, musical styles and folk traditions came together. The festival brought together folk ensembles from Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Ukraine, demonstrating that, despite differences in language and customs, folklore has the power to bring people together naturally.
Different countries, one tradition
The main aim of the festival was to present folklore as a living part of culture, which is not just a thing of the past but also has its place in today’s world. Over the course of three days, visitors were able to discover the traditions of different countries through music, dance, singing, traditional costumes, crafts and regional dishes.
Folklore groups from Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Ukraine travelled to Prešov from abroad. Slovakia was also represented by more than fifteen folklore groups, including well-known ensembles from Šariš and the surrounding area.
The result was a colourful mosaic of cultures, bringing together various forms of folk art in one place.
Prešov was alive with folklore
The festival wasn’t just about the performances on stage. Folklore spilled out onto the streets and became part of the everyday atmosphere of the historic centre.
One of the highlights was the folklore parade through the town, which brought the colours of traditional costumes, folk music and the energy of dance to the centre of Prešov. Visitors were also able to try their hand at traditional dances as part of Dance Schools Without Borders and take part in traditional games.
The region’s typical flavours were also well represented, with the popular Šariš-style mash.
‘Discover and Experience Šariš’ Craft Zone
Crafts Area Regional Tourism Organisation Región Šariš It gave visitors the chance to discover, taste, buy or learn about various traditional crafts. As well as classic regional products, there were also hands-on workshops on offer.
Regional craftspeople showcased their skills at the workshop stall. We were able to learn about the production of leather goods, wool processing and arranging dried flowers into bouquets. The scent of traditional shingle-making and the aroma of wood filled the whole square, and the programme was further complemented by decorative wood painting, bobbin lace-making and wirework.
Not only did we learn about crafts and regional producers, but we also experienced them first-hand and tried for ourselves what it’s like to create traditional, handmade products.
Folklore as a bridge between people
The Festival of Countries and Traditions showed that cultural diversity does not have to divide people. Quite the opposite, in fact. Over the course of three days, music, dance and traditions succeeded in creating a shared space for both local and international guests.
Prešov thus became the venue for an international cultural gathering, where visitors could learn about the traditions of neighbouring countries, compare them with their own, and at the same time discover a wealth of common elements.
The first edition of the festival brought a vibrant atmosphere to the historic city centre and served as a reminder that folk culture still has much to offer today’s generation. Different countries, different stories, different melodies – but a shared love of traditions.
And that was precisely the charm of those three days in August, during which folklore simply took Prešov by storm.
The event was organised with financial support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic. Our heartfelt thanks also go to the event’s other partners.
Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ
