Ciga Despotović Ciga Despotovic Status:   Deceased Specialty:   Yugoslavian Range:   Albanian, Gypsy, Macedonian, Serbian, Shiptar, Vlach	CLICK TO ENLARGE
Miodrag "Ciga" Despotović, born in Belgrade (Beograd), Serbia, on June 30, 1929, was a dancer and soloist of the world famous Yugoslav State Company KOLO for 18 years. With the company, he toured many countries, including Australia, China, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, and the United States, as well as the countries of Eastern and Western Europe. He had choreographed for many Yugoslavian dance ensembles. Ciga's wife, Ivon Despotović-Eschweiler was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She studied at the Scapino Academy of Dancing and was granted a scholarship by the Dutch government to make a special study of folklore in Yugoslavia where she danced with the Yugoslav State Company KOLO in Belgrade (Beograd) for two years. She was the only non-Yugoslavian ever to be a member of this famous company. Following her stay in Yugoslavia, she did choreographic work for several Yugoslavian and Dutch dance ensembles. Ciga and Ivon came to The Netherlands in 1966. They became active teaching Yugoslavian folkdances, national dances from other countries, ballet, master classes for folk dance teachers, and doing choreography for professional and amateur groups. Their own dance ensemble, Joegoslavisch Danstheater ORO, consisting of young Dutch amateur dancers, performed throughout the country. During the summer, Ciga and Ivon organized study tours to Macedonia to familiarize participants with the authentic folk dance, music, and local culture of this part of Yugoslavia. One of the highlights of these tours was the Balkan Festival at Ohrid. Ciga died if cancer on May 17th, 2002, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. According to family friend, Ben Koopmanschap, "although his body was slowly deteriating, his mind was as sharp as ever and even until the very last minute he was concerned about folkdance and [its] future." Ciga produced three LP recordings utilizing contemporary Yugoslavian composers. Each includes 16 Yugoslavian dances. Dances Ciga taught include Agimi, Ajšino Oro, Albanska Svadbena Igra, Bračno Oro, Čačak, Cigančica, Ciganski Orijent, Cigansko Oro, Cigansko Skopsko Oro, Čučersko Oro, Čuperlika, Demirhisarsko Oro, Divna Divna, Donkino Oro, Ersko Kolo, Fallia e Lechte, Grom Kolo, Ivanovo Oro, Kele Kolenika, Kučevačko Kolo, Ljiljino Kolo, Makedonsko Devojče, Mangupsko, Mešovito Oro, Mirkovo Kolo, Momačka Šetnja, Moravac (u šest), Muško Oro, Op Sa Sa, Pajduško Horo, Pantino Kolo, Podrimsko Oro, Porodinka Kolo, Povod Kolo, Poziv Kolo, Prelaz, Prespansko Oro, Rakijica Rako, Retko Kolo, Ruzmarin, Šestorka, Skakavac Kolo, Skopski Čoček, Šota, Splet Srpskih Igara, Srpsko Kolo, Šumadinsko Kolo, Svadbeno Oro, Svekrvino Oro, Svrčino Kolo, Tamnavski Povetrac, Ti Momo, Toičevo Kolo, Turski Čoček, Vašarsko Kolo, Vaskino Oro, Veselka, Vlaško Za Pojas, Vuletovo Oro, Zaplet Kolo, Ženska Šiptarska Igra, and Žikino Kolo.

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