The 24th Children's Folklore Creativity Showcase began on Saturday, 7 November, in Mala Subotica. 25 children's folklore groups from Međimurje County and other parts of Croatia are participating in this year's event, with Mala Subotica having hosted the manifestation since 2003.
Participants include children under the age of ten, groups aged ten to 15, and mixed children's groups. Those present at the gathering included the mayor of the Mala Subotica municipality, Valentino Škvorc, deputy mayor Mario Novak, principal of Tomaš Goričanac Primary School in Mala Subotica, Željka Štampar Zamuda, and principal of the Potočnica Kindergarten, Martina Tkalčec.
The Saturday programme was opened by the local young folklorists, the Children's Folklore Group “Zvončeki” of the “Zvon” Parish Cultural and Artistic Society (KUU) of the Mala Subotica parish community, who prepared children's games with singing titled “Sobočke špelancije”. The choreography is by Marina Držanić and Roko Blažona, while the musical arrangement is by Valentino Škvorc. The hosts' programme included counting rhymes and songs such as “Ena, pena”, “Jen, dva”, “Sveti, sveti sončece” and “Sejala je baba lena”.
Following the hosts, members of the DFS of the “Fijolica” Cultural and Artistic Society (KUD) from Orehovica presented a choreography of Međimurje circles and dances, “Čuk sedi”, prepared by Petra Ružić, with the musical arrangement by Zlatko Bacinger. Young folklorists from Donji Vidovec performed “Pod narančom” in a choreography by Gordana Zvošec and musical arrangement by Nikola Matulin, while their programme included traditional games and songs “Skunjkač”, “Jagode petrovske” and “Žena ide na gosti”. Members of the “Kaštel” KUD from Pribislavec presented children's games “Pilići i koke” in a choreography by Aleksandra Belec and musical arrangement by Marko Belec.
The younger group of the “Kotoriba” KUD prepared the programme “Piceki, pure, žabe i zajci” with songs and games “Kokoš i piceki”, “Žib žib žabe na grabe” and “Žena ide na gosti”. The choreography is by Ana Radmanić Mikulan, and the musical arrangement is by Renato Mikulan. The Children's Folklore Group of the Sveti Martin na Muri Primary School presented the programme “Vija se kolo”, prepared by Valentina Sobočan Bogdan, with the musical arrangement by Antonija Jurinec Murk.
The younger group of the “Seljačka sloga” KUD from Donja Dubrava performed “Naše prve pesme” in a choreography by Dora Čmrlec and Ivona Međimurec, while the older group of the same society presented “Naša izvorna kola” in a choreography by Dora Čmrlec. The older members of the “Kotoriba” KUD performed original Međimurje circles and dances titled “Klinček” in a choreography by Irene Škoda and musical arrangement by Renato Mikulan. Members of the DFS of the “Sveti Martin” HKUU from Sveti Martin na Muri presented the choreography “Tam pri našoj staroj Muri”, signed by Valentina Sobočan Bogdan, with the musical arrangement by Josip Brdar.
Three guest societies also participated in the Saturday programme. The “Graničari” KUD from Gunja brought children's games with singing and dances from Slavonia and Srijem, including games and songs such as “Mi smo seke bosonoge”, “Širi širi”, “Na drvenom konjicu” and “Laste prolaze”, with the choreography and musical arrangement prepared by Ružica Taragdžić. The “Klaruš” KUD from Maruševac presented songs and dances from their region titled “Kuda Jura hodi, tuda pole rodi” in a choreography by Pjerin Hrvaćanin and musical arrangement by Franjo Plantak. Guests from Zagreb, the DFS of the “Croatia” KUD, prepared children's games, songs and dances from Moslavina titled “Princeza” in a choreography by Vera Filipović and musical arrangement by Nikola Biondić.
The Saturday programme covered Međimurje songs and circles, as well as part of the traditional heritage of Slavonia, Srijem, Moslavina and the Varaždin region. The performances are being followed by long-time selector, children's folklore pedagogue and choreographer Goran Knežević, who will provide expert opinion on the performances and select the three most successful groups to represent Međimurje County at the Croatian Children's Folklore Festival in Vinkovci, the Children's Vinkovci Autumn and the Children's Đakovo Embroideries.
The showcase is organised by the “Zvon” KUU of the Mala Subotica parish community and the Community of Croatian Cultural and Artistic Societies of Međimurje County, with the Croatian Society of Composers – ZAMP as co-organiser. The patrons of the manifestation are Međimurje County and the Croatian Assembly of Culture, while the maintenance of the showcase is supported by the Mala Subotica municipality. The programme leaders are Vanessa Golubić and Lucija Kovačić.
