The "Vukovar" Croatian folklore ensemble from Sydney, Australia was founded in 1984 by a group of émigré families who wanted to offer their contribution to the country of their origins. The idea was that their children who were born in Australia so far away from their homeland feel something that is unique to the Croatian people – a rich cultural heritage. The best way to express their desire was to form the folklore
ensemble. By preserving their cultural heritage these families promoted Croatia in the Australian public too.
From year to year the ensemble grew as did the endeavours of the dancers, musicians and their parents and the group became more and more successful. The group has performed in all the larger cities of Australia - Sidney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra Wollongong etc. The group regularly performs at the international folkloric festival in the Sydney Opera House. Members of the ensemble later taught in other folkloric groups in Sydney and environs.
When the barbaric aggression began in Croatia in 1991, members of the ensemble decided to help their homeland. All their work was directed towards collecting financial assistance. Apart from various other contributions the ensemble decided to directly aid several Vukovar families who were left without their breadwinner in the family. It is then that the ensemble decided to change its name to "Vukovar". This was their way of specially honouring that Heroic Town and its defenders. It is a great honour whenever the ensemble is announced and the public brings to mind the horror of 1991 and the role that heroic town played in the war.
The group today has more than 50 dancers and musicians. In 2004 during the 20th anniversary of the ensemble a concert was held that awed the public with its two hour performance with 11 choreographies and an entire series of Croatian national dances.
Nevertheless, their greatest success is to present what they have managed to preserve in that far away country down under and that is their cultural heritage of their country of origin. For a young person born and raised in a 'foreign' world to perform even one Croatian dance in front of a Croatian public is the climax of their work and efforts.
On 30 June 2005, 48 members of the "Vukovar" – Sydney folkloric ensemble will embark on a tour of Croatia. During the 14 day tour the ensemble will perform in Osijek, Đakovo, Dubrovnik, Makarska and Zagreb. Their (and our) joy and anticipation is indescribable.
