From October 9 to 12, 2026, the coastal town of Lloret de Mar welcomed the vibrant cultural celebration of the Mediterranean Folk Fest 2026. Autumn is a traditional and cherished season for Fiestalonia Milenio, dedicated entirely to honoring and celebrating folk ensembles. These performances are deeply loved and eagerly anticipated by local residents and visitors alike. This festival-competition unites diverse cultures from around the world, introduces us to unique traditions, and teaches us mutual respect and tolerance for every nation’s heritage—and this autumn season was no exception.
The festival brought together talented ensembles and groups from Malaysia, Estonia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria, each bringing its own distinctive temperament, artistic flair, and profound cultural identity.
The Esteemed Jury Panel
The competitive performances were evaluated by our deeply respected and professional international jury members:
- Josep Soto — An outstanding Spanish guitarist and composer, Latin GRAMMY nominee, who actively performs at major international festivals. He seamlessly combines academic classical training with jazz, Latin American rhythms, and flamenco, and teaches guitar and composition.
- Yulia Kruglyak — First Slavic flamenco performer in Spain, who has 30 years of scenic experience and gained great recognition. She is a successful choreographer, who conducts master classes in flamenco and is teaching the new dancers. A member of international competition juries.
- José María López Santamaría — Dance Teacher at Institut Escola Artística Oriol Martorell – professional Conservatory. Dancer at the State Theater of Schwerin in Germany and freelance in various national and international projects. Head of the Dance Department at Les Arts School and Artistic Director of the Baix Montseny Dance Competition.
Competition Highlights: From Instrumental Magic to Ethnic Dance
The competition unfolded in a breathtaking display of traditional arts:
Tantsuansambel Tuisuline from Estonia
Part 1: Instrumental Creativity & FusionThe stage opened with instrumental ensembles delivering captivating traditional and fusion performances. Capturing the hearts and ears of the audience were CEMARA SENI FOLKLORE GROUP from MALAYSIA and Play(On)Drums from UKRAINE. Their mastery of folk instruments, rich acoustic textures, and driving rhythms filled the venue with an unforgettable atmosphere of global unity and musical brilliance.
Part 2: Ethnic Dance ExtravaganzaFollowing the instrumentalists, the stage transformed into a kaleidoscope of motion as brilliant dance collectives took over. Spectators witnessed an incredible variety of ethnic dances on one grand stage, showcasing authentic choreography, stunning national costumes, and deep historical roots presented by:
Ukrainian Dance Ensemble “Iz Pertsem” from Germany
Dance collective Rilska Samodiva from Bulgaria
CEMARA SENI FOLKLORE GROUP from Malaysia
Grand Awarding Ceremony & Conclusion
The festive day concluded with the traditional and solemn Awarding Ceremony. Trophies, diplomas, and special distinctions were proudly presented to the participants directly from the hands of the festival’s esteemed jury members, celebrating their hard work, passion, and dedication to folk art.
The Mediterranean Folk Fest 2026 once again proved that folk traditions are a living bridge connecting hearts across the globe.
Join us on the global stage in 2027!
The Fiestalonia Milenio organizing committee invites all folk ensembles, musicians, and dancers to take part in our upcoming 2027 festival season. Bring your culture to the world—see you at our future events!