The Ethnic Communities Festival, the most picturesque event of the summer and a mirror of the multiethnic spirit of Timisoara, will color the center of the city on June 1 with a bouquet of shows promoting cultural diversity and shared values of the ethnic communities of Banat region.

The 24th edition of the festival invites Timisoara locals and visitors to enjoy the folklore performances offered by 12 groups and the professional ensemble 'Banatul', and to participate in a multiethnic folk dance workshop.

'For many Timis County residents, the Ethnic Festival is the most anticipated event of the summer. It's a picturesque and friendly display of authentic celebration of the multiculturalism that defines Banat. For us, diversity is not just a concept, but a way of life, because we live with respect and joy towards each other. In the heart of Timisoara, at each edition of the festival, we offer a lesson of coexistence and openness, a model of community where differences do not separate, but enrich,' vice president of the Timis County Council Alexandru Iovescu said in a statement on Friday.

The festival will unfold on the two main stages mounted in Union Square and Liberty Square, that will see the performance of 12 multiethnic artistic groups from Timisoara and the county, representing a wide array of cultural minorities: Hungarians, Germans, Serbs, Roma, Slovaks, Bulgarians, Ukrainians, Jews and Macedonians.

Recitals will be given by the vocal group 'Shalom' of the Jewish Community of Timisoara, the 'Nadlacanka' Brass Band of the Union of Solvaks of Romania, the youth band of the Banatul Professional Ensemble, the 'Bokreta' Hungarian dance ensemble of Timisoara, the 'Slavijak' ensemble of the Union of Bulgarians from Banat, and the folklore ensemble of the Union of Timisoara Serbs.

On the stage of the Ethnic Communities Festival, dance becomes the common language. The 'Banatul' professional ensemble will take the limelight with a truly special moment that tells the story of diversity through dance steps, colors and sound. The choreographic moment bears the signature of Grigore and Floarea Munteanu, and represents a eulogy to the traditions that, although different, have the same heartbeat, that of Banat.

In Freedom Square, the atmosphere of conviviality and joy of the Banat of old will be transposed on stage by the professional ensemble 'Banatul', the 'Edelweiss' German folk dance ensemble from Deta, the Ukrainian dance ensemble 'Sanziene Banatene/Banat Fairies' from Giarmata, the 'Palucenka' ensemble from Dudestii Vechi, the artistic company 'Lulughi Shukar' and the 'Necea - Rock' ensemble from Dudestii Noi. Each ethnic group parading its own attire, rhythm, its specific joy and melancholy, tells its story in a spectacular suite, in which borders are wiped out and traditions naturally intertwine.

The Ethnic Communities Festival is financed by the Timis County Council and is organized by the Timis County Culture and Art Center, coordinated by manager Liliana Laichici. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Otilia Halunga; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)