The international folklore festival Světlovský bál is an important part of the cultural program of Bojkovice and the Zlín region. It is the largest and most visited event in the town, in terms of its content and number of participants. The festival supports the maintenance of the traditions of the region, introduces other ethnographic areas of the Czech Republic, and, thanks to foreign participants, brings the opportunity to glimpse into cultural traditions across countries of Europe and the world.
It is organized by folklore ensemble Světlovánek and the town of Bojkovice annually at the beginning of June. The festival includes a profile presentation in Bojkovice and in the spa town of Luhačovice, performances by foreign ensembles, dance games, and folklore workshops with children and youth, performances for the elderly, and last but not least, cooperation with the local elementary school and the elementary art school.
The main festival program is divided into a children’s program, Světlovský bál for children, and an early evening program made of performances of adult ensembles, followed by dance lessons and an evening with a cimbalom band. The whole event is accompanied by a fair of folk products and crafts promoting the Bojkovsko microregion. Visiting groups also get to know the history of the city, have the opportunity to visit the Bojkovsko Museum and the Nový Světlov castle, and also have a guided tour of the spa town of Luhačovice and possibly a tour of the city of Zlín.
The IFF Světlovský bál has a reciprocal character, especially within the framework of children’s ensembles, thus supporting the establishment of new friendly relationships among ensemble members and their families lasting to the future. The aim is to present work with children and youth in the area of cultural traditions and customs, their education using leisure activities, and the support of multiculturalism.
