Serbian Folkloric Festival at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Post

Subscribe

Sat 08 Aug 2015 - Sun 09 Aug 2015

If you are reading this you've unfortunately missed out on the 29th Serbian Folkloric Festival. The organisers however want you to prepare for next year's festival to celebrate the big THREE-O in 2016.

That's why I was invited to check out and report on the annual festival held at the Bonnyrigg Sports Club (known as the Bonno), home of the Bonnyrigg White Eagles Football team and unofficial home of the Serbian community in Sydney.



I was somewhat unprepared for how popular this festival is and just how many Australians of Serbian heritage there are who make their annual pilgrimage here. Parking anywhere nearby was impossible with all the vacant spots within a kilometre or so taken.

But that's not the only thing I was unprepared for. Serbians love their traditional dancing and they love their traditional dress. Groups from around the country have converged here to perform on the main stage. The sight of literally hundreds of young men and woman in traditional costume is certainly eye catching.





Under two large marquees, thousands of visitors danced, ate, drank and were very very merry indeed. Folk bands pumped out popular traditional Serbian songs. Seduced by the music, the crowd seemed to spontaneously jump up to form long chains of revellers dancing traditional dances. Meanwhile tonnes of cevapi, BBQ pork neck, roast lamb and pork were being devoured with the help of an endless supply of Jelen pivo (that's beer).

A market of some thirty stalls were selling Serbian merchandise, clothing and bric-a-brac. The fun fair had plenty of rides and even a petting zoo to keep the kids entertained.





Even though I was only a few kilometres for home, I felt totally immersed in another culture. I suspect the Bonnyrigg Sports Club is more Serbian than anywhere in Serbia today. So pen in the 30th festival next year and descend on the Bonnyrigg Sports Club to celebrate all things Serbian.

#fun_things_to_do
#festivals
#bonnyrigg
#west
#august
!date 08/08/2015 -- 09/08/2015
%wnsydney