Kumanovo, 27 April 2026 (MIA) — A two-day seminar on the contemporary interpretation of traditional music and dance began Monday at Kumanovo's Trajko Prokopiev National Cultural Center.

Now in its fifth year, the "From Tradition to Stage" seminar focuses on preserving cultural heritage and educating performers, organizers told MIA's Kumanovo correspondent.

The seminar features workshops led by Teodora Stojanovska and Martina Maksimovska of the Tanec National Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, along with cultural heritage activist Bojan Petkovski.

Deni Sinadinovski, an ethnochoreologist and the event’s moderator, said the program was designed to help participants balance authenticity with the demands of a modern audience.

"The seminar aims to connect traditional forms of expression with contemporary stage practice so participants can gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the correct interpretation and stage presentation of tradition and cultural heritage," Sinadinovski said. 

The seminar covers the evolution of folk dance, from its earliest historical roots to the formation of modern folk dance ensembles. There are also lectures and workshops on traditional singing, choreography, stage adaptations and movements as well as analysis of authentic source materials.

Attendees are also exploring how to mix "old" and "new" through modern musical arrangements and choreography, organizers said. 

They added that over the last decade, many performers have moved away from the two "dominant" styles of folklore presentation.

Sinadinovski pointed to the "Zagreb school" of folklore, pioneered by the Lado National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia founder Zvonimir Ljevaković, as a prime example of "a system where the art remains unchanged" even if the presentation evolves.

"Regarding the Macedonian stage, when presenting tradition it is important to note that the situation is not monochromatic," Sinadinovski said. 

"Although there are two dominant directions, there are still many stage solutions that do not belong to the dominant ones." 

He added that these "marginalized" styles often lacked visibility in scholarly and critical circles. "Our topic, 'From Tradition to Stage,' is an attempt to contemplate and perhaps ultimately classify precisely those directions."

The seminar's participants include folk dance ensemble members, musicians, choreographers and educators. The project was made possible by funding from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. mr/