Gymnik

The Gymnik Folk Dance Ensemble was founded in 1964 by students studying folk dance at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Comenius University. At its founding membership was restricted to these students, but later on was opened to students from other secondary schools and universities who were well - prepared from their past participation in youth folk dance groups.

The ensemble grew progressively in both quality and size, and from its tenth anniversary in 1974 began to orient its choreography and artistic program toward creating unified thematic blocks of dances from Slovakia´s different folk regions.

Specific directed programme has followed from natural features already in the beginning. Members of Gymnik - students - come to Bratislava from all parts of Slovakia and that is a reason why programme contains of scenic formed traditional dances perhaps from all Slovakian regions. Because Faculty of sports educates sportsmen - there are elements of strenght and skillfulness used in dances as well as humor and playfulness - the typical features of ensemble members.

In these days the group has about 50 members.

Director is Mr. Štefan Gerhát and the art management ia presentated by Mr. Peter Mezei

Repertoire

Program part KYSUCE

Bialy tanec

Girls dance with a ritual function, witch was necessary by leaving the local group of girls by the bridge before wedding.

Jánošícka

Funny dancing - play of boys and men. It got itïs name from Janosik - a famous Slovak national hero. The main person in this play is the chief of the group and the task of the other members is to reply his movements. [preview]

Burkot

A working dance. In the region of Kysuce was the floor in houses made out of clay. In every new house it was necessary to trample down the floor. It was common, that the community helped their neighbours to do this work.they used to test the quality of their work by dance..

Starosvetský

An archaic couple dance from Turzovka characterized by quickly rolling.

Program part POD JAVORINU

Slovenská

It is dance for couples of "Čardáš" type. Originally it was danced in Lubina - Miškech dedinka. One part of this dance is named "Starobabská" which is not danced in this village yet but in the past was common part of villager's life. [preview]

Verbunk

Dance is based on skill of excellent danger of Myjava Jan Fridrich from Rudnik village. This couple dance of "Verbunk" type is unique in this region of Slovakia.

Kamasi

People living in Myjava hills have name "kopaniciari".They liked to perform their skill by jolly dances and plays.This region is typical by dances of young men as "žabák, Sečkársky, širákový". [preview]

Pod Javorinu

The last dance of all programme part which contains typical dances from Myjava as "Verbunk , Uklakovaná, Starobabská, Hustý and Vyhadzovaná". [preview]

Program part ORAVSKÉ PODOBY

Prostá a Zajačí

Two typical dances of people living in upper Orava ( the Northern part of Slovakia). "Prostá" is dance for couples and it is simple. "Zajačí" is using small steps like rabbits are doing.It is danced by one man and two women.

Na vysoký ľan

It has symbolic character. Itïs scenic form of habit used in villages of Orava. Women were usually dancing and jumping during a carnival. With wish to have high flax in new crop.It was usually the only occasion when they could enjoy themselves in full range. [preview]

Žabecák a Odzemok

These two dances were the last of carnival in ZUBEREC - village at Orava. Women went home and men competed in strenght, skillfulness and perseverance. [preview]

Goralski

Typical dance of people living in High Tatras - the highest mountains in Slovakia. Men are more important in dances and typical for them is rhythmical move in by legs. [preview]

Program part CIERNY BALOGU

Handelci

There were villages named nearby the river Hron in the past for supplying foundries in that part of Slovakia - Pohronie by wood and coal. These villages are called Handle - White and Black ones. The centre of blacks was ¬ierny Balog. People, mainly wood workers, living there, were very hardworking and cheerful. Dance describes a situation when women and men working in the wood meet and enjoy this time.

DANCES FROM EAST SLOVAKIA

Krucená

Dance for couples from Šariš typical by unique fluent rolling.

Krut

Dance for soloists describing young couple just before wedding.

Karička

Typical woman dance from Parchovany

Flaškový

Slovaks wanted to show their skill in the dance over the bottle during the weddings. It is danced by girls.

Regrúti

It is danced by young men before going to the army. It is typical by rhythmical quick steps and clapping by hands on boots. This move is named "Čapáš".

Cifrovaný a Èardáš

Dance based od Juraj Šaffa and other dancers skill from Parchovany village.

Šarišská polka

Danced by couples for entertainment in villages of East Slovakia. [preview]

Contact

Address:

Nábrežie gen. L. Svobodu 9, 814 69 Bratislava, SLOVENSKO

Telephone number:

+421 2 54 41 43 41, +421 2 54 41 44 25

Fax:

+421 2 54 41 33 27

GSM:

+421 907 734 228, +421 905 442 431

E-mail:

gymnik(zavináč)fsport.uniba.sk