The Turoplje Folk Ensemble has been performing since 1973 but was officially founded on 14 December 1975. It is open to everyone who loves folk songs and dances and has 400 members, aged from four upwards, in its dancing and tamburiza groups. The primary aim of the ensemble is to preserve the folk songs and dances of the local regions of Turopolje, Posavina, Pokuplje and Vukomeričke gorice, but it also performs songs and dances from other parts of Croatia and of Croats who live abroad.Its programme of ‘Croatian Songs and Dances includes 38 dances.

The ensemble is noted for the high standard of its performances and its fine collection of authentic folk costumes. The quality of the ensemble has been recognized by both ethnographers and musical experts at home and abroad, and the ensemble has received many awards, including: Silver Medal at the international festival at LLANGOLLEN in Great Britain in 1994, Grand Prix at the XV International Folk Festival at Žywc and Grand Prix at The 42nd Weeks of Culture at Beskidzkiej in Poland in 2005. as well as regional award for contribution of promotion ofthe Zagreb regia in the country and worldwise in 2007; the award of the town Velika Gorica Golden podgutnicai 2008. In 2009. on 20th international folk festival in Žyxiec, Poland, the Ensemple has been announced the best one in cultivating folk tradition, and has received the only one award in this cathegory.In 2010 in Nedelino, Bulgaria, the professional jury decided to award the ensemble the Golden medal.

The ensemble has performed in Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Hungari, Egypt, England,Cipros, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Germany, Slovenia, Italy (Sardinia), Spain, the USA, and Turkey. It had an audience with Pope John Paul II at Castel Gandolfo on 11 August 2004. It has appeared on radio and television programmes in Croatia and has had a half-hour show on the BBC and a twenty-minute show on Warsaw Television at the beginning of August 2005 and 2009. The Bulgarian state television recorded and broadcasted the 20 minutes programme on Ensemble at the baginning of August 2007. It has produced two CDs: ‘Our Lovely Turopolje’ and ‘Croatian Songs and Dances’, and recorded 8 DVDs with the programme.It performs more than 70 times a year and his given more then 3500 performances since its foundation. It organizes the International Folk Festival and the Children’s Folk Festival which are held in Velika Gorica. It also runs a workshop, headed by Tomislav Miličević, for making and restoring national costumes.

The ensemble is an amateur society where various generations get together to socialise and have fun.

  • Artistic Director of the Folk Song and Dance Section: Tomislav Miličević
  • Tamburiza Section leader: Stefko Kačurov
  • Ensemble President: Zlata Cundeković
  • Address: Folklorni ansambl “Turopolje”, Slavka Kolara 75a, 10410 Velika Gorica, Croatia.
  • Telephone and fax: 00385 1 621 3571
  • www.faturopolje.hr
  • E-mail: fa.turopolje@gmail.com