culture

May 1, 2026

Folklore Festival at the Oldest Serbian Church in Texas

Dražen Minić, head of the cultural and artistic program, is also vice-president of the Church Board and the festival's Organizing Committee. He is a former basketball player who now deals in natural gas trading. He is originally from Pljevlja.

Folklore Festival at the Oldest Serbian Church in Texas

TL;DR

  • A Serbian folklore festival was held at the St. Constantine and Elena Serbian Church in Galveston.
  • The event featured folk dance groups from New York ('Opancići') and Houston ('Veseli Opanci' and 'Zavičaj'), along with bands playing traditional music.
  • Attendees were welcomed with folk music and Serbian specialties like ćevapi, ajvar, and gibanica.
  • The program included prayers, Serbian and American anthems, folk dances, and vocal performances.
  • Approximately 70 performers and 200 guests attended, representing not only the Serbian community but also other ethnic backgrounds.
  • Katarina Jegdić, Vice-President of the Church Board, highlighted the joy of having the 'Opancići' group from New York perform.
  • Dražen Minić, head of the cultural program, emphasized the festival's three-year history and its importance in connecting people with tradition and each other.
  • Sylvia Bajić Đukić, president of the 'Opancići' ensemble, discussed the importance of folklore in preserving Serbian identity, culture, and language for younger generations.
  • Sonja Spasojević, choreographer for 'Veseli Opanci,' shared the development of their group since 2018.
  • Zoran Budimlić, artistic director of 'Zavičaj,' highlighted the role of the ensemble in gathering children and passing on Serbian culture.
  • The St. Constantine and Elena Serbian Church is the oldest Serbian church in Texas and will celebrate its 130th anniversary this year.

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