Aurora has hosted a number of International Festivals of Traditional Dance and Music over the years, with visitors from a variety of countries. These festivals offer an opportunity to showcase traditional dance and music from Scotland and abroad, as well as offering members of the public the opportunity to experience these traditions. They allow Aurora and our guests the opportunity to share our cultures and make new friends.
Our past events are detailed below; links are provided to descriptions and photographs.
- Aurora International Festival of Traditional Dance & Music 2018 – we hosted the groups Gruppo Folkloristico Pasian di Prato from Udine in north east Italy and Les Echos de nos Montagnes from Annecy in France
- Aurora International Festival of Traditional Dance & Music 2014 – we hosted the group Le Poutou de Toulouse, from Gascony, France.
- Aurora International Festival of Traditional Dance & Music 2012 – we hosted Groupe Folklorique du Pays de Hanau de Bouxwiller, from Alsace, France.
- Aurora International Festival of Traditional Dance & Music 2006 – we hosted La Saltarelle, from Belgium.
- Aurora International Festival of Traditional Dance & Music 2003 – we hosted Les Farandoleurs de Cheman de Fer from Nîmes, France and Dorna Dorului, from Vatra Dornei, Romania
- Aurora International Festival of Traditional Dance & Music 2001 – we hosted Itxas Alde, from Bako, Basque Country, Spain
- Aurora International Festival of Traditional Dance & Music 1997 – we hosted Hogbo Folkdansgille from Sandviken , Sweden.
In return we have been invited to spend time with groups across Europe, enabling us to share traditional Scottish music and dancing with a wide audience, and to get to know our counterpart groups in other regions. These festival opportunities are typically reciprocal, and the majority of the groups we have visited have come to us in Aberdeen, or will do in future.
Our past trips abroad are listed below:
- In August 2017, we were hosted by Les Echos de nos Montagnes in Annecy in France; the week was billed as “Semaine Ecossaise”, or “Scottish Week”. There are photos of the festival in our online album.
- In August 2016, we were hosted by Gruppo Folkloristico Pasian di Prato in Udine in north east Italy. There are photos of the festival in our online album.
- In June 2015, we were hosted by Le Poutou de Toulouse, in Toulouse, Midi-Pyrenees, France. There are photos of the festival in our online album.
- In August 2013, we were invited by Amixi de Boggiasco e del Golfo Paradiso to visit Bogliasco in Italy. There are photos of the festival in our online album.
- In July 2011 we visited Groupe Folklorique du Pays de Hanau de Bouxwiller in Imbsheim, Alsace, to perform in the annual ‘Portes Ouvertes’ festival. See what we got up to on our trip!
- In the summer of 2009 Aurora dancers and musicians travelled to Odoorn in the Netherlands to take part in the 20th anniversary SIVO International Dance Festival along with dance groups from all over the world. There are photos of the festival in our online album
- In August 2007, Aurora was invited by our Belgian friends La Saltarelle to take part in the International Dance Festival ‘Macadanse’ at Wavre . About 20 Aurora dancers and musicians travelled to the Wallonia region of Belgium to present a varied programme of traditional Scottish dance styles. See what we got up to on our trip by viewing the photos in our gallery
- In December 2004, Aurora was invited to Vatra Dornei, Romania, by Dorna Dorului. See what we got up to on our trip in our online album.
- In July 2004, Aurora joined Les Farandoleurs de Cheman de Fer for their Festival de folklore in Nîmes, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. See our photos of the festival online.
- In August 2002 we were invited by Volkskunstgroep Boerke Naas to join them for their festival Volkskunstweek, held in Sint Niklaas in Flanders, Belgium. Have a look at our photos of the festival.
- In July 2000, we visited Itax Aldes in Bakio, Basque region, Spain, for their festival. Photos are available in our online album
- In 1998 Aurora members attended the group’s first foreign festival, in Sandviken, Sweden, hosted by Högbo Folkdansgille. Some photos are available in our online album.