If there’s one part of the programme that is eagerly awaited, it’s the so-called ‘cultural section’ when each delegation puts on, in its own style, a playlet, a song or a dance relating to the traditions accompanying the Christmas festivities. And, just as every year, there was no shortage of surprises! The performances were greeted with applause or whistling that was either longer or shorter according to the quality of the respective efforts.
The performances:
Italy – Bartolomeo - Song
Spain – Barcelona – Sketch/sweets
Austria – Bad Ischl – Sketch
Croatia - Pula - Dance
Estonia – Kuressaare – Song
Lithuania – Kaunas – Sketch
Romania – Bucharest – Song
The Netherlands – ROC Mondrian – Song
Portugal – Coimbra – Song
Ukraine – Lviv – Song and Best Wishes … in French!
Italy – Cingoli – Sketch and dance
Croatia – Zagreb – Dances and song
Latvia – Riga – Music
Russia – St Petersburg – Dance and song
Sweden – Örebro – Santa Lucia
Latvia – Riga - Dances
Slovenia -Bled + Maribor – Video with commentary and public participation!
Armenia – Yerevan – Song-video
Croatia – Rab – Music (mandolin)
Ukraine - Chernivtsi Oblast - Sketch, video, song and dances
Croatia – Pula – Song
Luxembourg – Diekirch – Video
Italy (all schools) – Final song ‘Adeste fideles’ (Oh Come All Ye Faithful)
Finally, following a poll conducted among visitors to the exhibition, several delegations were given awards.
Most delicious stand: Bartolomeo Scappi (Italy)
Most attractive stand: Lviv ( Ukraine)
Most traditional stand: Bad Ischl (Austria)
Most informative stand: Zagreb (Croatia)
Most welcoming stand: all the Italian stands!
The awards were loudly applauded by the audience.