site.btaCulture Minister Bachev on Bulgarian Folk Art

Speaking in an interview with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) on Saturday, Culture Minister Marian Bachev said that Bulgarian folk art carries an energy that is recognizable all over the world. 

Earlier in the day, he opened the 13th National Festival of Folk Art in Koprivshtitsa. The event, which runs through Sunday, is organized by the Culture Ministry, the Municipality of Koprivshtitsa, the Sofia regional administration, and the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The event's main media partners are BTA, Bulgarian National Television, and Bulgarian National Radio.

The National Festival of Folk Art 

"The National Festival of Folk Art is an incredibly exciting event," Minister Bachev said. He noted that this was his first time attending such a festival - both as an artist and as a citizen - and it was on this day in Koprivshtitsa that he understood the significance and true scale of this gathering.

Bachev said that the substantial funding for the event made him grasp its scope. "Seeing so many people here - smiling, wearing traditional costumes, full of energy - makes me realize the immense importance and power of folklore," he said. Bachev expressed hope that the festival would be a reminder of "the significance of our roots and the fact that we must not forget where we come from and where we are headed."

He said that some 7,000 people from 700 ensembles will take part in the event, which highlights its large scale. "Imagine the scale of this creative exchange. The energy of the amateur performers is immense. These are people representing authentic folklore. They are not professionals, which makes the energy even more powerful because they put their heart and soul into it," Bachev said. In his words, the spirit of the festival in Koprivshtitsa is unique.

How the State Supports the Preservation and Promotion of Bulgarian Folk Art

"Over the years - and during our term in office - the State has continued to support amateur art ensembles through programmes of the National Culture Fund, as well as through other means," the Minister said. He expressed hope that this support will persist. 

Bachev said that the Culture Ministry had supported various festivals throughout the years. While financial support is important, especially with Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area in January 2026, people’s energy and drive to preserve their traditions is way more important, he said. No amount of money can buy talent, Bachev noted, adding that "it lives within us - the artists, the creators, the people who carry a divine spark and are ready to share it with others."

"Throughout the centuries-long history of the Bulgarian people, folklore has gathered people around the hearth. After a long, hard, and worrying day of work, families would come together, singing songs, telling stories, knitting, and crafting," Bachev said. In his words, this reveals "a strong connection to our roots and history." He expressed hope that the State will continue to support this art form, adding that "folklore is what will remain after us."

The Euro Area and Bulgarian Folk Art

Minister Bachev said that Bulgaria is fortunate because its folk art had gained recognition even before this country's entry into the euro area. He recalled the participation of the Bistritsa Babi at the opening of the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held under the presidency of Bulgaria. "They created a real sensation at UNESCO headquarters in Paris," Bachev said. "Segur Hall, where they sang, was full and that is a sign of how unique our folklore is," the Minister added.

Culture Ministry Projects for Promoting Folk Art

"The indicative programme of the Culture Fund has been delayed due to technical reasons beyond our control," Bachev said. He noted that when it comes to programmes supporting amateur art, many community centres and folk ensembles already have a tradition of applying for funding. "These groups are well known to the Culture Fund. I believe this process will continue smoothly because there are many upcoming events and folklore performances are at the heart of our national identity," Bachev said. "Even abroad, whenever Bulgarians start singing or playing music, they are immediately identified by their traditional costumes," he said. "Our music and folklore form the framework that makes us known around the world," Bachev added.