site.btaDance Ensembles from Hungary, Greece, North Macedonia to Participate in Kazanlak International Folklore Festival

Dance ensembles from Kazanlak's sister cities in Hungary, Greece and North Macedonia will participate in this year's edition of the International Folklore Festival, which will begin on June 5 at the central Sevtopolis Square and will be held under the motto The Dance of the Rose - Bridge of Cultural Unity, Kazanlak Municipal Library Director Teodora Georgieva told BTA.

Guest ensembles from the cities of Nagykanizsa, Veria, Dimotika, and Kocani will take the stage in Kazanlak. The Ljupco Santov folk ensemble from Kocani will perform songs and dances that symbolize the ethnic identity of this region, while the To Kastro Cultural and Folklore Association from Greece aims to promote the traditions of the local community around the world.

The Bulgarian Iskra Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, led by artistic director and Kazanlak honorary citizen Tsvetan Tsochev, will perform on the first evening. The Iskra Ensemble holds the Representative title from the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts for Bulgaria under UNESCO. The dance ensemble has represented Bulgaria at the European Parliament in Brussels, as well as in many places around the world.

Following the festive parade, there will be two more performances: by dance groups from the Confucius Institute in Sofia and the Non Xinh dance club, whose members are students majoring in South, East, and Southeast Asia Studies at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. The club is dedicated to promoting the beauty of Vietnamese culture, combining elegance, tradition, and technical mastery in its performances.

The International Folklore Festival, which is an annual part of the Rose Festival, aims to foster interest and a love for folk art across generations. "This is a wonderful opportunity to meet with friends, tell them about the enchanting rose and the priceless rose oil, show them the beautiful Bulgarian folk rhythms, but also to learn more about their traditions and customs, their holidays and folklore," said Georgieva.

Over the years, groups from all corners of Europe and the world have participated in the cultural forum. After a brief hiatus, the festival was revived in 2013 by Galina Stoyanova, mayor of Kazanlak Municipality.