site.btaVice President Iotova Opens 12th Nothing Better Than Tran National Festival

Vice President Iliana Iotova opened the 12th Nothing Better Than Tran National Festival of Bulgarian Dance Clubs and Amateur Ensembles, held in the western town of Tran on Saturday. "I have heard a lot about this festival. It has its own biography and we have come here, together with my team, to see how for a few days Tran becomes the capital of Bulgarian folklore and youth through these beautiful young people dressed in wonderful Bulgarian costumes, who will showcase their talent here," she said in her address.

Iotova recalled that when Bulgarians take to the dance, they are transported to another world, and this thrill of rhythms and complex steps has been experienced by all.

"Many countries in the world have horo [chain dances] like ours, but tell me, are there any more complicated than them, than their size, than this uneven beat, which no matter how much our foreign partners and friends like it, they can never play it like us," the Vice President said.

According to her, the magical thing about Bulgarian folk dances is also the energy that the hand holding spreads among the performers. She said that on the dance floor, "we become united and there is no one stronger than us, which is the message of Bulgarian tradition." 

Iotova added that the horo and Bulgarian folklore give Bulgarians self-confidence, anchor their identity and Bulgarianness in a world that is difficult enough. "The connection to our roots helps us to get through the most difficult moments," she said.

"Today we are all convinced that what we know we must and are obliged to pass on to our children so that the glory of our folklore is carried far," the Vice President noted.  

She congratulated the organisers of the festival  and the municipal administration for holding the event, and said that out of the five events she had to visit on Saturday, she chose to come to Tran. "Driven by the great respect we feel for all of you, the people of this fabulous, wonderful Bulgarian region. I know that it is not easy for the municipality either, and there is a lot that the State should do and help in these small towns," she added.

Iotova congratulated the municipality of Tran on its diverse and eventful cultural calendar, which she said could be the envy of bigger towns in the country.

The Vice President took part in a horo alongside the festival participants.

The festival was organized by Bodyfolk Club - Sofia. Partners of the initiative are the Municipality of Tran and the Nadka Karadzhova 2012 - Sofia and Gyurga Pinzhourova 1895 - Tran community centres. For the first time this year, the event hosted the 7th National Review of CIOFF - Bulgaria (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts - UNESCO Associate Partner). During the event, the organization awarded the title of CIOFF Representative Ensemble"for the 2027-2030 period.