#TraditionSince1969. The “Maria Tănase” Contest Festival reaches its 28th edition in the service of Romanian song

The “Maria Tănase” National Contest Festival of Romanian Folk Song Performers, organized by the Dolj County Council, through the Dolj County Center for Culture and Art, reaches its 28th edition this year, crowning a tradition that has lasted for 56 years in Bănie. The event will take place between September 23-25, at the “Marin Sorescu” National Theater. 

With the first edition taking place in 1969, the “Maria Tănase” Festival in Craiova is the longest-running artistic event of folklore music in Romania. And this year, as in the past, the festival represents a launching pad for young performers, whether we are talking about amateur artists or vocal soloists and instrumentalists, from the country and abroad. 

The festival will delight you on the first evening with great artists from the world of folk music, accompanied by maestro Nicolae Botgros and the "Lăutarii" Orchestra from Chișinău. These are: Matilda Pascal Cojocărița, Nicolae Furdui Iancu, Niculina Stoican, Ionuț Fulea, Liliana Laichici, Zorina Bălan, Andreea Voica, Mioara Velicu, Cornelia and Lupu Rednic and Dinu Iancu Sălăjanu.

A festival with history

The first edition of the "Maria Tănase" Festival took place in 1969, between May 28 and June 1, in the hall of the current Romanian Opera Craiova, with Sanda Țăranu, TVR announcer, as the presenter. Since then, every two years, the festival has kept the tradition and helped launch famous folklore music artists, both vocal soloists and instrumentalists, while promoting Romanian folk music and its values. Of the over 1,600 competitors who have taken to the festival stage so far, over 400 have become laureates of this cultural event, receiving various awards or distinctions. Among them we mention: Gheorghe Roșoga, Angelica Stoican, Ioan Bocșa, Floarea Calotă, Drăgan Muntean, Niculina Stoican, Grigore Leșe, Maria Casandra Hauși, Constantin Enceanu. You can read about all the past editions here:

For those who want to be with the competitors at this edition, as well as the established artists who will take the stage, tickets are on sale at the "Marin Sorescu" National Theater from Monday to Friday, between 11:00 and 17:00, and on Saturday, between 12:00 and 15:00. The "Maria Tănase" Festival will also be broadcast by Romanian Television.

We are carrying forward the cultural legacy of Maria Tănase, here in Craiova! We invite you to join us! 

Photo: Centrul Judetean de CULTURĂ ȘI ARTĂ Dolj | Facebook