6 June 2016
Jubilee 5th edition of Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro folk - Jiva voda" Hisarya 2016 is officially inaugurated. The director of the festival Mr. Georgi Topuzliyski, deputy mayor of Hisara Municipality Mrs. Toni Ilieva and the president of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov welcomed the participants and guests.
"All of this, that you are doing will preserve Bulgaria alive", said in his statement Mr. Topuzliyski.
The president of EAFF Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov expressed his pride in the opportunity to welcome even more artists each year who keep their folklore and continue to hand over the traditions to the younger generations.
"This edition of Balkan championship "Euro folk - Jiva voda" is one of the largest so far. I'm proud that I can congratulate more than 2000 participants. Few days ago EAFF was accredited officially as a partner of UNESCO. It happens thanks to all the 270 festivals, which are held under the auspices of EAFF." said Mr. Nikolov in his address.
He thanked all who contribute with their signatures for the erection of the monument of Mr. Iliyan Nikolov - the creator of Stara planina fest "Balkan folk" and EAFF. On 21st of May personally the Secretary General of UNESCO Mrs. Irina Bokova together with the president of Association Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov presented the bas-relief in Veliko Tarnovo.
In the first contest day of V Balkan Championship of folklore, the jury awarded tens of groups and individual performers with diplomas for significant contribution in promoting the traditional folklore arts; laureate titles; recommendations for participation in the European Championship of Folklore, a lot of golden, silver and bronze medals.
Dance Folklore Club "Hisarski ritmi" from the "Ivan Vazov - 1904" community centre was the first nominee for the Grand Prix of the V Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro folk - Jiva voda".
The program of the Championship continues on 10th and 11th of June. The concerts can be watch online on internet TV tv.eurofolk.com.