The Indonesian group Sma Negeri 28 Jakarta was declared the overall winner of the 6th World Cup of Folklore, held from May 23 to 26, 2025, in the Italian city of Jesolo. The ensemble impressed both the audience and the international jury with an exceptionally artistic performance conveying a powerful social and cultural message. Through graceful movements, rhythm, and symbolism, the dancers portrayed themes of harmony, tradition, and unity among peoples – a message that deeply resonated with everyone present.

The festival, which included groups from Indonesia, Malaysia, Georgia, Slovakia, North Macedonia, and Estonia, turned the coastal city of Jesolo into a stage of global cultural diversity. The program featured both authentic and stylized folklore performances, vocal groups, and modern choreography, with participants ranging from children and youth to adults.

Among the winners in the various categories were:

• The vocal-instrumental group from Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu Primary School in North Macedonia, which won first place in the folklore vocal category;

• The Estonian dance ensemble SÕLEKE, awarded in the category for authentic adult folklore groups;

• Gombak Culture Group from Malaysia, which received multiple awards across different categories for performances such as Dikir Barat, Sewang, and Balqis, as well as the award for Best Choreography through Sekolah Seni Malaysia.

In the children’s and youth categories, the ensembles MTSVERVALI from Georgia and KARMEN from Topoľčany, Slovakia, stood out, while the children’s group JADLOVCEK from Slovakia also received special recognition.

Particularly moving was the participation of children from different countries, who, through their energy, sincerity, and talent, proved that cultural heritage thrives most powerfully when passed on to the young. Their performances were met with thunderous applause and became some of the most memorable moments of the festival.

The event took place in a spirit of respect, tolerance, and friendship among nations. The participants exchanged not only dances and music but also smiles, words, and cultures, proving that art is a universal language that connects people across borders. The 6th World Cup of Folklore in Jesolo left a powerful message – that through tradition and culture, the world can become more united, peaceful, and humane.