Igorots in Czech Republic Share Culture at Festival
A vibrant group of Igorots in the Czech Republic recently led a traditional dance workshop during the 10th Eastern Tunes Festival. This marked the Philippines’ debut at the multicultural event, which aims to combat xenophobia through cultural exchange. The Igorots in Czech Republic troupe taught the bendian, a circle dance from Benguet, to tourists and festival-goers eager to learn.
Migrant worker Amy Siblon, who guided the audience through the dance’s arm movements, expressed pride in the young Czechs’ enthusiasm. “Nakaka-proud kapag may ibang lahi na gustong [malaman] ang ating kultura (It’s a proud feeling when other ethnic groups want to know more about our culture). We should feel very proud about it, and I am,” she shared. Siblon works at a multinational logistics company in Brno.
Several Czech participants called the bendian workshop a “great experience.” Michaela Chrástová, a volunteer at the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, described the event as a “nice exchange of cultures.” She added, “I’m really glad to know Filipino culture more. There was a lot of laughing when we got the steps wrong, but that made it more fun. That was the best part of it.”
Immersive Dance Workshop Bridges Cultures
Local attendee Jirí Sedlák found the interactive nature of the workshop especially memorable. “I love dancing, and even more so with other people because it’s a whole new experience. Even the emotions and the culture [that were shared through the dance felt new], because we don’t really celebrate culture that much here in the Czech Republic. We also need to see something [like the Igorot dance].”
During the workshop, women wore bodysuits adorned with traditional Kalinga tattoo-inspired designs, while men donned Ifugao attire. Before the dance lessons, the troupe performed a tribal dance, captivating the audience.
Festival participant Dave Cosape, employed at an automotive firm in Teplice, observed that locals were drawn to traditional performances, including those from Indonesia, Iran, Syria, and Taiwan. These acts combined Arabic melodies, ethnic tunes with rock music, and traditional dances.
“Nagtipon ‘yung mga local nu’ng nag-perform na ‘yung [cultural groups] kasi gusto nilang makita ‘yung iba’t ibang tradition. Gusto nilang makilala at mapanood [‘yung performers] kasi nakaka-entertain din,” Cosape said, noting that locals gathered to appreciate and learn about diverse traditions.
Promoting Filipino Culture in Czech Mindset
The inclusion of the Igorot group was facilitated by a Filipina research fellow and head librarian at the Oriental Institute. She expressed joy over the Filipino community’s first participation in the festival, showcasing their culture and dances to a broader audience.
She emphasized the festival’s importance as a platform to raise awareness about the growing Filipino presence in the Czech Republic. “Aside from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), we have students and professionals here. But often, we’re misidentified or misinterpreted as Vietnamese. [Events like this allow us] to showcase our diverse culture, which is not yet known to a lot of Czech people.”
Held annually near the Czech Republic’s northwestern border with Germany, the Eastern Tunes Festival fosters understanding of Asian and Middle Eastern cultures among European communities. It also features traditional food stalls and souvenir stands selling handmade crafts.
Festival Organizer Highlights Integration
Dr. Phil. Jarmila Ptácková, organizer and member of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, shared that the festival offers a rare chance for local people to engage deeply with cultures from the Near and Far East—not just by watching performances, but by meeting, talking, and sharing.
She stressed the significance of including migrant communities living in Europe, acknowledging that integration into host countries can be challenging. “We are happy that the Filipino group was here; they showed their dance and brought others into the experience.”
Ptácková hopes festival participants will remember the performances and be inspired to learn more about the Philippines or, at the very least, recall the friends they made during the event.
For more news and updates on Igorots in Czech Republic, visit Filipinokami.com.