site.btaEthnic Bulgarians from Izvoarele Join ProEtnica Festival in Sighisoara

The Bulgarian minority in Romania was represented for the first time by a folk ensemble from the village of Izvoarele, Teleorman County, at the ProEtnica Intercultural Festival held for the 21st time in the fortress of Sighisoara. This became possible with support from the Union of Banat Bulgarians in Romania, partners of the Bulgarian Springs Association.

The folk ensemble of the association, made up of boys and girls aged 8 to 15, took the stage on the third day of the festival with an Easter chain dance and traditional customs of the Bulgarian community from the village of Gauriciu (today's Izvoarele) - a rachenitsa dance and two songs.

The programme showed that in Izvoarele's Bulgarian community, as in many other multiethnic communities, local culture and tradition are preserved and coexist harmoniously, contributing to a richer cultural heritage.

"The atmosphere in the fortress of Sighisoara was like a fairy tale. The picturesque streets were full of people and children, all in love with the traditions and folklore of their ethnic groups. The colourful costumes, the different languages and the smiles on the participants' faces delighted visitors. For five days, twenty national minorities were like one family called 'ProEtnica'," Mihail Lecu, one of the founders and President of the Bulgarian Springs Association, told BTA.

He said the journey to Sighisoara had been long but filled with interesting experiences.

"We sailed on a boat along the Olt River, visited the Sibiu Zoo, and explored the captivating museums of Sighisoara. But what impressed us most was something seemingly small, yet of particular significance for us Bulgarians. At the Cozia Monastery (11th-15th centuries) on the banks of the Olt, we were struck by the name of the 18th-century kitchen, "kuhnya", a Bulgarian word still used today in communities that speak Bulgarian," Mihail Lecu explained.