Haifa Municipality is deeply involved in the development of the Municipal Folk Dance Groups, which have become the city's official representatives in dance and cultural events worldwide. Operating within the framework of the Folklore Department of the Culture and Arts Division, the Groups perform frequently at municipal and national events, and also participate in numerous international festivals.

The young dancers in the Groups are all amateurs; the main element unifying them is their deep love for dance and folklore. Their personal commitment, tremendous investment, professional level, and imagination and creativity all combine to guarantee great enjoyment during the Groups' performances. Moreover, the dancers express the ideologies of a multi-cultural nation and peaceful coexistence.
The head-choreographer is Mr. Bari Avidan.

Each of Haifa Municipality's five Folk Dance Groups represents a cultural wealth, with uniqueness according to its age group:
"The Chicks Dance Group" – ages 9-12
"The Carmel Youth Dance Group" – ages 13-17
"The Haifa Folk Dance Group" – ages 18-24
"The Youth in Dance Group"
"The Kavkazi Dance Group"

"The Chicks Dance Group"
This group is really what the name implies, "chicks." The members are young, 9-12 year olds, full of enthusiasm and curiosity. They offer a great variety of folk dances and are the future stars of the adult group. Their "dance language" addresses a diverse audience – young, adolescent and adult – and their rapport with the spectators is extremely unique.
Choreographer – Mr. Bari Avidan

"The Carmel Youth Dance Group"
The enthusiasm transmitted by the young members of this group is one of signifying characteristics. Their style is extraordinary and surprising – their repertoire combines classical folklore dance with current styles. The colorful folklore costumes and graceful movements of the 13-17 year old members always ensure an interesting and fascinating performance.
Choreographer – Mr. Bari Avidan

"Haifa Folk Dance Group"
The student group consists of 24 dancers – all of whom participated in the younger groups – "The Chicks Dance Group" and "The Carmel Youth Dance Group." The repertoire of this group successfully conveys to the audience all the folkloric wealth expressed in Israel's cultural tapestry – a folklore that combines the country's unique Jewish and ethnic culture. This is an authentic cultural meeting point, and its uniqueness is not just the dancing and folkloric wealth, but also the optimism that emerges with each step of the folklore dancers.
Choreographer – Mr. Bari Avidan

"The Youth in Dance Group"
"The Youth in Dance Group" was founded in 1992, at the time of the huge wave of immigration from countries of the former Soviet Union. At the outset, and in particular in light of the failed attempt to "assimilate" the unique cultures that characterized each wave of immigration, the aim was to associate the wish for "Israelization" with the desire to maintain the identity of this folklore. The result exceeded all expectations, and this young group quickly integrated into the cultural life of Haifa and Israel with highly praised appearances.
The Group combines folk dancing – the dance of peoples and communities from around the world – and the classic and modern features of artistic dance. Choreographer – Mr. Michael Malichov

"The Kavkazi Dance Group"
A great part of the artistic and social success of the "The Kavkazi Group," which was founded in 1998, can be attributed to the Group's founder, dancer and choreographer, Peter Mazozovsky. Peter brought with him from the Kavkaz region a rich experience of work with folk and popular dance groups, and he creates all the dances performed by the group. The Group's repertoire expresses the fragrances of the Soviet Union through the special costumes, the music, the rhythms, the steps and the contents.
Choreographer – Mr. Pyoter Mazovovski
 
  For performance coordination, please contact:
  Mrs. Kleir Haya Saban, Director of the Folklore Department, Haifa Municipality
  14 Hassan Shukri St.   P.O.B. 4811, Haifa 31047, Israel
  Tel: 972-4-8529379  
  Fax: 972-4-8356071
  E-mail: jacquij@haifa.muni.il