From its beginnings, Folklore Ensemble Croatia has strived to be a rich and complete amateur folklore ensemble in singing, dancing and music, and sharing this wealth of character with all nationalities. We have a large number of members, costumes and instruments which have helped us achieve this goal.

Over the years our group has performed throughout the province of Ontario at banquets, nursing homes, the former Toronto Caravan, Carassauga – Festival of Cultures, the Mississauga Santa Clause Parade, church events and masses, as well as traveling to other Canadian Cities, the U.S., Puerto Rico and our beloved homeland, Croatia.

The history of our group began in 1971 when the group “Hrvatska” was formed with 25 members in Toronto, Ontario. By 1976, many Croatian immigrants and their families had settled into Mississauga, at the time a suburb of Toronto and a large Croatian community was established. It was in this year that a group by the name of “Zrinski-Frankopan” was created. This group was named after two heroes from Croatian history.

Through the years “Zrinski-Frankopan” had seen growth while “Hrvatska” experienced a down turn in size due to the departure of older members and a lack of young blood to fill their shoes. It was then in 1984 that the two groups merged to create Folklore Ensemble “Croatia”. In 1992 “Plavi Jadran” of Oakville saw the same declining numbers as the former “Hrvatska” and they too, joined Folklore Ensemble Croatia enhancing the group with new ideas and knowledge.

Throughout its 40 years of existence, Folklore Ensemble Croatia – regardless of the name – has held on to and still holds on to the belief that it is important to bring our heritage to the younger generation of Croatian-Canadians through music, song and dance. Over the years the group has been blessed with many gifted teachers including: Mr. Djuro Haramuscek, Mr. Joe Loncarich, Mr. Drago Mavrin, Mr. Ed Mavrinac, Mr. Branko Pahonic, Mr. Ilija Vranesic, Mr. Nikola Vrdoljak, Mr. Tony Zlatar and Mr. Ed Zuzic who have shared their wealth of knowledge with the group.

Today, Folklore Ensemble Croatia is proud of its 110 members ranging in age from five to those in their mid-twenties. They are a symbol that Croatian culture is alive and thriving among new generations.

FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE CROATIA
251 Queen Street St S. Mississauga ON, L5M 1L7. Canada

Email Us: Mississauga.FEC@gmail.com

© Folklore Ensemble Croatia