site.btaZheravna Folk Costume Festival Brings to Life Bulgaria of over 100 Years Ago


The Zheravna Folk Costume Festival is under way on August 23-24. Established in 2008 on the initiative of Hristo Dimitrov, producer, choreographer and director of the Bulgare National Folklore Ensemble, the festival is held every year in the Dobromeritsa area. Visitors wear traditional folk costumes to recreate the authentic atmosphere of more than a century ago.
At the festival, talking on the phone, taking photos and any breach of the rules are strictly prohibited.
The event opened on Friday night. In his welcome speech, Deputy Culture Minister Georgi Sultanov highlighted the symbolism of the festival as a celebration of joy and the Bulgarian spirit.
Mongolian Ambassador Lkhagvasuren Sayanaa greeted the audience in Bulgarian, wishing them a wonderful festival and a bright future, connected with Bulgaria's rich and beautiful culture and traditions.
Kotel Mayor Kosta Karanashev thanked Hristo Dimitrov for choosing Zheravna as the host. He stressed Bulgaria's mission as a nation that gave literacy to millions and created the unique phenomenon of the chitalishte (community cultural centre).
In his address, Dimitrov stressed that "God, Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian people" are his personal trinity and the essence of the event. He called for more love, understanding and faith. For the first time, the festival was opened without the traditional symbolic pistol shot. "This will be a festival of love,” he said. This year, the organizers have prohibited the use of firearms at the event, citing both safety and fire hazard concerns.
A marriage proposal was made on stage before 25,000 spectators.
As tradition dictates, the ceremony also included the induction of new voivodes into the Guardians of the Bulgarian Spirit Association, established in 2014, which now has more than 90 members. The new members swore an oath of loyalty to Bulgarian values, history and culture.
The association presented its annual Apostle of the Bulgarian Spirit Award to Prof. Lyubomir Penev. He was honoured for his collection of weapons and folk costumes, the restoration of historic houses, and his support for the Bulgare Ensemble.
This year's festival programme features diverse events. The opening ended with a tribute to Bulgaria's heroes and a concert by the Bulgare Ensemble, the Strandzha Ensemble, the Gabriela Mihaylova and Radostina Damyanova duo, and the Academic Folk Choir of the Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts.
The second festival evening will feature contests for authentic costumes, traditional wrestling, strength games, performances by amateur clubs and a folk dance competition.
The final day will be dedicated to young talents, followed by the closing ceremony. Sunday is the only day when visitors are allowed entry without a costume or admission fee, and photography is permitted.
The festival is organized by the Bulgare Foundation with the support of Kotel Municipality and Zheravna mayor's office. Zheravna is 12 km away from Kotel and 50 km away from Sliven.
The event is funded through entrance fees and donations, with long-standing supporters including Jan and Elena Anderson, Georgi Manev and Kalin Grigorov. The festival has attracted thousands of visitors from Bulgaria and abroad, turning Zheravna into a true centre of the Bulgarian Revival spirit.
/DD/
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