The National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia LADO is a national professional folk ensemble founded on November 11, 1949, in Zagreb. Its mission is to research, collect, artistically process, and stage the finest examples of Croatia's rich musical and dance traditions.
The ensemble comprises top dancers who are also exceptional singers, and musicians who accompany the performances with traditional and classical instruments. Their repertoire includes over a hundred different choreographies and several hundred vocal, instrumental, and vocal-instrumental pieces, showcasing the wealth and diversity of Croatian folk expression.
LADO possesses a unique collection of original folk costumes of exceptional value and beauty, with more than 1,200 sets, some of which are over a hundred years old. Each performance by the ensemble thus serves as a showcase of original Croatian traditional attire.
The ensemble has performed on some of the world's most renowned stages and concert halls, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, City Centre in New York, Mann Auditorium in Tel Aviv, Sydney Town Hall, and numerous venues in Japan. Their performances regularly elicit enthusiasm from audiences and recognition from critics.
For its work and contributions to promoting national heritage, LADO has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Porin awards, City of Zagreb Awards, the Orlando Award at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, and the Charter of the President of the Republic of Croatia for 60 years of artistic activity.
LADO is not only a dance ensemble; in addition to dance, vocal, and vocal-instrumental concerts, it also holds independent performances by Ladarice, the female choir of the ensemble, and the LADO Orchestra. Ladarice perform songs from the continental part of Croatia, while the Orchestra participates in all ensemble concerts, either accompanying specific dance and vocal performances or presenting its own musical pieces.
The ensemble operates under the artistic leadership of Ivan Ivančan Jr. Their concerts and performances continue to preserve and promote Croatian traditional culture, representing the pride and identity of the Croatian people both at home and abroad.
