In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Camelia Festival, Aska Kolo Ansambl honors their Serbian past with a performance of a suite of songs and dances from the 14th century when the Serbian Empire reached its zenith.

 Under the reign of Tsar Dušan, a statesman of strong character and physical stature – approximately 7 foot tall, Medieval Serbia flourished with great artistic, cultural and economic achievements. Dušan’s Code in 1349 rivaled England’s Magna Charta of 1215, declaring, that everyone from nobleman to peasant be treated equally. Some of Serbia’s most beautiful medieval arts were created during this time resulting in high levels of aesthetic expression found in architecture and the arts, unsurpassed by Medieval Europe. The richness of Byzantium never left Serbia.

 Aska imparts the feel of Medieval Vranje through their costuming, music and dance movements which are specific to Vranje. Beginning with a traditional folk song from Vranje: “Petlovi Mori Pojte” (Roosters, sing out!) the enchanting melody is accentuated by the hypnotic beats of the daire (tambourine) and goc (drum). The languid style of “Šano Dušo” kolo: elegant soft steps, high on the toes, coming from the hips is like the leisurely tempo of old Vranje. The restrained movements of Šano Dušo are unleashed by the high-spirited dance steps of the “Vranjanski cocek”, as the faster tempo of the music explodes into a pulsating whirl of sound, motion and vibrant color.