Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Young dancers from Puerto Vallarta have earned international recognition for Mexican culture after the Grupo Folclórico Vallarta Azteca Infantil took first place at the International Children’s Folkloric Dance Festival “Kolo bez Granica – Circle without Borders” in Tivat, Montenegro.
Competing against ten children’s folkloric groups from Serbia, Croatia, Turkey, and Montenegro, the team secured the festival’s highest honor.
The Puerto Vallarta delegation features 16 young performers aged 8 to 15, representing the state of Jalisco. Twelve dancers hail from the Vallarta Azteca Folkloric Dance Academy in El Pitillal, joined by four rope twirlers from Rancho de Tato.
Traveling alongside their parents and teachers, the 27-person delegation showcased the richness of Mexican culture, regional music, and traditional zapateado footwork.
Audiences and judges alike were mesmerized by the troupe’s precise footwork, colorful skirt twirling, skillful rope flourishes, and mariachi rhythms. Their winning repertoire included emblematic pieces such as El Son de la Culebra, El Gavilancillo, and El Son de la Negra – a signature melody recognized around the world as a symbol of Mexican identity – along with the classic Jarabe Tapatío.
The victory came during a European tour that began August 15 and will conclude August 27. Throughout the journey, the young performers have showcased Mexican regional music and folkloric dance while representing Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco on international stages.
Beyond the competition, the festival gave the children an opportunity to connect with young performers from other countries. They participated in cultural exchanges involving dances, games, customs, and traditions, gaining a firsthand look at the cultures represented at the event while sharing their own.
Professor Antonio Salcedo, general director of the organization, expressed his pride in the children’s achievement, emphasizing the discipline, dedication, and commitment they have demonstrated throughout the tour.
He described the victory as an important accomplishment for folkloric dance in Puerto Vallarta and a reflection of the talent of a new generation. Through their performances abroad, the young dancers are carrying Mexico’s traditions to international audiences and serving as ambassadors for the cultural heritage they have learned to preserve and celebrate.
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