Cleveland Kurentovanje | All About Slovenian Folk Costumes: Historic Regional & National Costumes

Have you ever seen the various costumes of Slovenia and wondered why there are so many different styles? Did you know that there are elements to these costumes that are unique to only Slovenians and some even to their own regions, sometimes specific villages? How does the Slovenian National Costume (\\\”Narodna noša\\\”) and stylized Dark Costume (\\\”Črna noša\\\”) fit into the context of traditional costuming and how did one outfit come to represent an entire country? What makes national or regional costumes \\\”authentic\\\”? How were these costumes originally used and worn and what did they signal to others in the cultural context of their usage?

Slovenian folk costuming and folk dance expert, Dave Antolin, will present an overview of the three original categories of Slovenian costuming: Mediterranean, Alpine, and Pannonian, and show how these different clothing styles differed from one another, evolved and eventually helped to form the the nationalistic movement  and form of \\\”Narodna Noša\\\”. The seminar will focus on the vast and rich historical clothing culture very few Slovenians actually know. Test your own historic knowledge … you might even see a few pieces very familiar to yourself.

Additionally, it is known that there are many historical (pre-1940s) costume pieces in Cleveland! All are invited to bring your heirlooms to this event so that photos for reference and reconstruction can be taken. Focus will be more on authentic accessories brought from Slovenia, such as shawls, chains, and  headpieces such as the avba and especially any peča/ahtah – kerchief pieces. If you have information on the time frame and ownership of the original costume pieces, that would be welcomed as well. If you bring a costume, no one except for you will be permitted to touch and handle it. At the conclusion of the event, everyone will take the costumes that they brought back home.
Free In-Person Ticketing & Online Livestream Viewing:

This presentation will be presented live & streamed live via the Cleveland Kurentovanje website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. Streaming links will be provided closer to the event date.
If you intend to attend our live event at the Slovenian Museum and Archives, we kindly request that you reserve a FREE ticket so that we can plan the space accordingly for the number of people attending.

About David Antolin:
David Antolin is a Slovenian-Canadian who graduated from the University of Toronto, in Landscape Architecture. His interest of Slovenian folklore started at a very young age, where he continued the folklore tradition and interest of his family, studying culture and design in various French and Italian universities, along with many in Slovenia. His focus to traditional folklore became the basis for programming of various folk dance ensembles, such as SOČA and VENEC, in Ontario, Canada, and many other groups he helped in North America and Slovenia. David received a scholarship from the Slovenian Ministry to pursue a detailed research study at the Glasbeno Narodopisni Institut at the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Art, under the guidance and direction of Professor Mirko Ramovs, Meta Benčina and Dr. Marija Makarovič, along with countless experts in all regions. He has been immersed with various cultural and folklore institutes and folklore groups in Slovenia and Italy, where traditional costuming, music and dances prevail. He was graciously awarded the distinguished \\\”Maroltovo listino\\\” by the JSKD, in 2015, for his contributions to expanding and preserving traditional Slovenian folklore in North America, through dance, song, music and costuming. David continues his close contact with various folklore groups and folklore experts, researchers, choreographers and seamstresses in Slovenia, always learning something new and questioning information that is current. He is the founding editor and contributor to the blog \\\”Slovenska ljudska noša\\\” on Facebook. Presently as a technology and design teacher, David also continues to lecture, write and share the richness of Slovenian historical culture to the world, in hopes that descendants continue to take pride in their roots and true folklore customs, rather than imagined staging. His goal is to make information readily available to those who seek guidance in reconstructions and those interested in Slovenian ethnic studies.