site.btaNational Folklore Festival Brings Winter Traditions to Life in Stara Zagora Region
Nearly 50 folklore groups – ranging from children in kindergartens to grandmothers and grandfathers, from towns and villages in ten Bulgarian regions – took part in the eighth edition of the National Festival "From Ignazhden to Christmas – Traditions and Modernity", hosted by the village of Hrishteni near Stara Zagora. The event is organized by the community centres in the villages of Hrishteni, Dalboki, Oryahovitsa, Preslaven and Gorno Botevo, which take turns hosting the festival.
The aim of the event is to preserve and pass on Bulgarian folklore related to the winter holidays from December to March, from St Nicholas Day to Trifon Zarezan, the organizers explained.
Hrishteni Mayor Radka Zheleva told BTA that the village is hosting the festival for the second time, but this is the first time it is being held in person, as in 2020 the competition took place online.
"The Christmas spirit is already in Hrishteni. We are united in kindness, have opened our hearts and wish everyone to be healthy and a better person," Zheleva said.
The participants’ performances were assessed by a three-member jury chaired by renowned folklorist Krum Georgiev.
During the festival, competitions were held for Christmas cards, souvenirs, traditional festive dishes and an authentic survachka, a decorated stick for well-wishing on New Year's Day.
/VE/
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