site.btaFirst Festival of Overseas Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Opens in Veliko Tarnovo

The 1st Festival of Overseas Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles was opened in Veliko Tarnovo on Wednesday. It is held until July 26 at the initiative of the Association of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad. 

Association Chair Radoslava Nedyalkova said at the opening that they chose Veliko Tarnovo because they saw symbolism in the fact that Bulgaria's old capital is the historical and spiritual capital of the country, so the Association decided to set the symbolic beginning of the Festival here.

Rayna Mandzukova, head of the Executive Agency for Bulgarian Abroad, which is partner of the Festival together with theInternational Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF), said at the opening that over the past ten years, the editions of the Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival have shown the beauty of Bulgarian folklore around the world. "Every foreign city was becoming Bulgarian, like this year it was Lyon, and now with this festival this beauty is coming back to Bulgaria, and a dream of mine has come true," said Manzhukova.

Stoyan Taslakov, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad, said in his address that the events organized by Bulgarian communities around the world should be promoted in Bulgaria. 

CIOFF Bulgaria President Emil Pavlov also delivered an address. 

 Veliko Tarnovo Deputy Mayor Georgi Nedev address the opening on behalf of the Municipality.

Nine folklore groups from Germany, Italy, France, Romania, Hungary and Sweden will take part in the festival, as well as two soloists from Germany and Argentina. Their performances will highlight the richness of Bulgarian traditions, passed down and preserved far from their homeland.

The festival programme continues on July 25, when all participants, dressed in costumes, will perform a dance flashmob in front of the Asenevtsi Monument. At 6:30 p.m. near the Mother Bulgaria Monument, a traditional horo (chain dance) will be performed as a symbol of the unity and spirit of the Bulgarian people. The programme continues with a gala concert and award ceremony at the Summer Theatre.

This is the first event of this scale, which aims to provide a stage in Bulgaria for native folklore groups from abroad, which actively preserve and promote Bulgarian intangible cultural heritage around the world. The Festival is not only a celebration but also a recognition of the efforts of thousands of Bulgarians abroad, who through music, dance, and song continue to keep the spirit of Bulgaria alive, said the organizers.