LADO, the National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia, was founded in 1949 in Zagreb as a professional national ensemble, with the aim of researching, artistically interpreting and presenting on stage the most beautiful examples of the rich traditions of Croatian music and dance. The ensemble’s 40 brilliant dancers, who are also excellent singers, can easily transform this folk dance ensemble into an impressive folk choir, while its 14 superb musicians play some fifty different traditional and classical instruments. LADO is often called a “Dancing Museum” because of priceless and beautiful authentic national costumes (more than 1,200 costumes) some of which are more than 100 years old. All this, together with the amazing richness and diversity of the folklore expression of Croatia, such a small country, makes LADO one of the most unique folk dance ensembles in the world. LADO has performed in prestigious concert halls all over the world such as the London Royal Albert Hall, Sorbonne Amphitheatre in Paris, New York City Centre, Tel Aviv Mann Auditorium, Moscow Tchaikovsky Hall, etc. During LADO’s 2006 Tour in Japan, more than 50 thousand people saw and applauded the ensemble during 27 concerts held in 21 amazing concert halls.
