Skopje, 8 July 2026 (MIA) -- The Croatian folk song and dance ensemble Lado closed the 65th Balkan Festival of Folk Songs and Dances in Ohrid with a concert of Croatian folk songs and dances receiving a standing ovation from the audience, organizers said in a press release.

Through authentic folk attire, music and scenography, Lado once again showcased Croatia's vibrant cultural heritage. The concert program included traditional folk dances from Croatia's Zagorje, Prigorje, Posavina and Podravina regions, including Zagorski drmeš, Ladarke and Podravski svati.

Lado's festival performance was a stop on the Croatian dancers' Macedonian tour, organized as part of their cultural cooperation with the Macedonian folk song and dance ensemble Tanec.

"As the national ensembles of Croatia and Macedonia, Lado and Tanec have nurtured and promoted traditional culture for years," organizers said. "Their cooperation significantly contributes to making the cultural ties between the two countries even stronger."

As part of Lado's Macedonian tour, the ensemble will also give two concerts with Tanec. The first concert will take place at the Heraclea ancient ruins in Bitola on July 8. The second concert will be held at the National Opera and Ballet in Skopje on July 10.

According to organizers, the audience will have the chance to enjoy the interplay of the top national folk ensembles performing energetic traditional dances to Croatian melodies and Macedonian rhythms. mr/