Železiar and its people

For many years, the ensemble was closely connected with the Eastern-Slovak Steel Company. In 1992, a civic association Košické folklórne štúdio and an art promotion agency KULTOBIN took over the management of the ensemble.

Currently, the ensemble functions under the patronage of the Košice Self-governing District, through its District Educational Centre.

People involved in Železiar´s activities have greatly contributed to the fact that numerous folklore groups in Košice and the whole region live as an open community. They co-organize the Košice Folklore Days and an international folklore festival - Cassovia Folkfest. They create a ground for various activities at the House of the Folklore Dance at Starozagorská Street in Košice.

A new generation of folklorists is being brought up at the Private Elementary Art School and motivated by membership in the Youth Folklore Ensemble Železiarik. Activities in folklore workshops and the Archive of traditional culture are being supported. Hundreds of children are made familiar with the traditional art thanks to educational concerts.

Since 1987, Železiar has been directed by Mr. Vladimír Urban - an extraordinary personality of the folklore life. Besides being a choreographer, he is also greatly involved in organising cultural life and he stands behind many successful ideas at the folklore scene.

Železiar has in many ways been supported by its numerous fans. The most outstanding one, being a former excellent dancer - soloist, is Ing. Štefan Mráz. Železiar´s gratitude goes to all individuals thanks to whom it became and remains a shining star in the folklore sky.

Artistic director and choreographer: Vladimír Urban (urban@zeleziar.sk)
Artistic director of the orchestra: Milan Rendoš
First violin and manager of the orchestra: Ľuboslav Hudák
Directress of the women's vocal group, vocal pedagogue: Andrea Rendošová
Dance pedagogues: Beata Gogová, Marianna Svoreňová
Assistant choreographers: Petra Mižerová, Martin Záremba
Manager: Marián Gereg
Financial manager: Gabriel Bácskai
Costume-keeper: Magdaléna Horková