Akademická Nitra 2025 Kicks Off with a Colorful Folk Parade and National Singing Record
11.07.2025
The 47th edition of Akademická Nitra, the international festival of academic folklore ensembles, officially opened on July 6 with a vibrant traditional parade through Nitra’s pedestrian zone. Performers in folk costumes captivated passersby with song, dance, and music, drawing large crowds to the city center.
The festival’s opening ceremony took place on Svätopluk Square, highlighted by a new Slovak national record — the largest group performance of the folk song "Tečie voda od Zobora". A total of 1,201 participants joined in singing the iconic tune, with lyrics projected on a large screen to encourage crowd participation. The record was officially recognized by the Slovak Records Commission, and a certificate was presented by commissioner Igor Svitok to Pavol Findura, President of the Akademická Nitra festival.
“I’m always amazed by how many young people want to preserve and showcase the traditions of our grandparents — not only the music and dance but the way of life,” said Findura. “And I value it all the more because many of them are still juggling their studies.”
This year’s festival features 11 folklore ensembles from six countries, including six from Slovakia: Ekonóm, Hornád, Mladosť, Poľana, Trnafčan, and Zobor.
International guests include:
· The Rajasthan Folk Heritage Society from India
· The Ahuna Family ensemble from Hawaii
· The National School of Arts Dobri Hristov dance group from Bulgaria
· The Song and Dance Ensemble of Warsaw University of Technology (Poland)
· The Sonja Marinković National Dance and Song Ensemble from Serbia
The evening concluded with a striking fire and dance performance by the Hawaiian group, lighting up the square after sunset.
The festival continues with two competition evenings on July 7 and 8 at the Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra, where an international jury will evaluate the performances. The event will conclude with a festive gala program on July 9.
Akademická Nitra 2025 is organized by the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra and the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic, in cooperation with the City of Nitra and the Nitra Self-Governing Region. The festival is held under the auspices of President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini and supported by the Slovak Arts Council.
