strove and succeeded in making a memorable and first edition of its kind. Official members of the Board and Unique Artists from Spain, Romania, Italy, Israel and France responded to the invitation.
For four days, in June, 2023, Qurense, Spain, was the host of the international event I.G.F. Caravan – “Jose Antonio Vinas”.Under the coordination of I.G.F. and the prestigious Queixinos dos Pinos Association, the Qurense area put on festive clothes. Folklore was at a great height managing to recall the memory of the great man of culture Jose Antonio Vinas. Passed away far too soon from our world, Antonio looked at us from heaven with the same smile and hope for peace and friendship. After years in a row he managed to impose the name of the Caravan in the world folk art movement, now we all considered it necessary that the name of this important international event should be attributed to Antonio. With verve and a rarely seen spirit of sacrifice, Antonio’s mother, Maria Rita Mira,
At the Regional Council of Qurense all the delegations were welcomed by the leadership of the Council of Deputies who offered Qurense albums to all participants. On behalf of the I.G.F. spoke Dr. Dorel Cosma – president of the I.G.F. and Benito Ripoli deputy president of the I.G.F. who evoked the figure of their former colleague Antonio Vinas Mira. The moment in the Qurense cemetery was particularly moving. The I.G.F. delegates paraded in front of Antonio’s grave to the tune of religious music with laying of flowers and candles.
This was a remarkable event for which the organizers deserve all the congratulations.
In the churchyard of Los Gozos, the special moment of the unveiling of the commemorative plaque dedicated to Antonio Vinas followed. The local authorities of Galicia, the parish priest, and the president of the I.G.F. Dorel Cosma delivered speeches. The commemorative plaque, financed by I.G.F., was made of bronze by the artist Camilo Seira who created an exceptional artistic work that will remain in the permanent memory of those who love and value popular culture.The evolutions of the exceptional artists of the representatives bodies of the I.G.F., led by important personalities from the member countries, followed. Italy- Benito Ripoli – President F.I.T.P and Deputy President of I.G.F, France- Nicholas Charlety – President C.N.F.F. and deputy president of I.G.F, Israel – Nidal Kasem president of the v.Federation of Israel and Legal Advisor of I.G.F., Romania – Prof. Pahone Pop – executive president of the Federation of Romania, Robert Laszlo – first vice-president of the Federation of Romania and Lucian Stroe – vice-president of Federation of Romania, Gustavo Hernandez president of the folklore groups of the Canary Islands and Maria Rita Mira, president of Queixinos dos Pinos. At the top level of the I.G.F. The World Folklore Union was represented by the president of I.G.F. Dr. Dorel Cosma. Important names from the world of international folklore performed on the Festival stage.
By: Doris Nedelea (i.g.f. magazine #31 – 2023)
