From meager beginnings back in 1959, Croatian folklore in Calgary has grown into a focus for Croatian culture within this progressive Canadian city. Vila Velebita strives to preserve and maintain the heritage of Croatian folk dance and folk song through the strong commitment of its members, volunteers and numerous alumni.

Being the only group that has attended every Western Canadian Croatian Folklore Festival in Canada and Croatia, Vila Velebita endeavours to maintain a standard of quality and authenticity. In 1994, near the end of the war in Croatia, performers of Vila Velebita were able to tour and dance all across Croatia, plus dance for numerous displaced refugees and veterans.

Vila Velebita has gained the knowledge of the spirit of Croatian folklore in Croatia proper by twice participating at "Dakovacki Vezovi," in 1994 and 2000; and touring Croatia while attending the only East-West Canadian Croatian Folklore Festival held in Croatia in 1997.

Being a member of the Croatian Heritage Society of Calgary, Vila Velebita has been able to contribute to the collection of over 10 000 pieces of both replicas and authentic Croatian cultural folk costumes and object from Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Vojvodina, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.

We encourage everyone to contact us for more information by visiting our soon to be posted web-site at www.croheritage.com