Folk artists from all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria and guest singers, dancers and musicians from Yakutia (Russia), Iran, Indonesia, Canada, Sweden, Lithuania, Georgia, Slovakia and India are arriving in the old capital Veliko Tarnovo to participate in XXII Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk".
“240 groups and individual performers (more than 4500 participants) will come out with their programs on stage “Summer Theater”within the six 7-hour concerts. 100 of the participants will take part in IX Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore “Euro folk 2018”, which is of a competitive nature and is held simultaneously with "Balkan Folk". Folklore dancing, singing and playing competition will be also seen in the World Cup of Folklore – Veliko Tarnovo 2018, which is being held for the third time. 65 groups will take part in it.”,announced at a press conference Kaloyan Nikolov, President of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF.
The total prize fund of the three forums is 10 000 leva. 1000 of them will be given as a check of the winner of the Championship; 2000 Euro will be distributed among the participants at first, second and third place in the final rankings from the World Cup of Folklore, in the form of vouchers for World Championship of Folklore "World folk".
Festival №1 in Europe is held with the logistic and financial support of the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo.
"Balkan Folk" is an emblematic event for the country and Europe, with very wide international participation. Veliko Tarnovo can be proud of the more interesting and better events. The best of folklore in the world is presented here“. This was said by Nelina Tsarova, Director of “Culture, Tourism and International Activities” department at the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo.
Stara Planina Fest “Balkan folk”, Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore “Euro folk” and the World cup of folklore “Veliko Tarnovo 2018” are part of the international initiative "The Roses of Bulgaria". It is dedicated to May 11- the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius. Its aim is to unite the thousands of Bulgarians living in Bulgaria and abroad. On this day (11 May), Bulgarians from 25 countries on 6 continents dance Bulgarian chain dance under the sounds of “Festal suite”, performed by the Bulgarian National Folk Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio, the Choir of folklore ensemble “Trakia” and the Choir "Cosmic Voices". At the end of the first concert program this music will be played at the festival in Tarnovo. At the end, everyone will gather together in a big Bulgarian chain dance. Organizer of the "Roses of Bulgaria" Initiative is the Ministry of Education and Science, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representations to international organisations, the Ministry of Culture, the Association of Bulgarian Schools Abroad and the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad.
“Accept the greetings and support of Mrs. Nataliya Mihalevska, Director of "Education for Bulgarians Abroad and School Network" department - about your proposal to join the initiative of the Ministry of Education and Science "The Roses of Bulgaria". We will be happy to join and promote the event. Greetings and best wishes for the successful conduct of festivals!“, is said in the congratulatory letter from the Ministry of Education and Science to EAFF for supporting the initiative.
The accompanying program of the folklore forum includes:
- two parades – on 12 and 19 May from 18:00 h. to 19:00 h. along the central street of the town to the monument of Mother Bulgaria, where the participants will perform with a 2-minute program and then continue to the Summer Theater for performance;
- two meetings of the nations under the motto “Friends in Diversity” - on 13 and 19 May from 10:00 h. to 12:00 h. on the stage “Summer Theater”. Entrance is free for all who want to learn more about the folklore of Bulgaria and the world;
- two meetings of the Mayor of the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo with delegates of the participating groups on 12 and 18 May.
The program of the festival by days and hours:
The outdoor events will be held at an appropriate weather. In case of bad weather, the indoor scenes will be held in the places announced in brackets
11 May 2018
14:50 - 21:40 Festival program on the Stage “Summer Theater” in Marno pole park
19:00 - Official opening of Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk”
(The Grand Hall of the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo)
12 May 2018
12:00 - 21:20 Festival program on the Stage “Summer Theater” in Marno pole park
(Musical Dramatic Theater “Konstantin Kisimov”)
13 May 2018
14:15 - 21:00 Festival program on the Stage “Summer Theater” in Marno pole park
(Musical Dramatic Theater “Konstantin Kisimov”)
17 May 2018.
16:25 - 21:45 Festival program on the Stage “Summer Theater” in Marno pole park
(Palace of Culture and Sports “Vasil Levski”)
18 May 2018
15:15 - 21:00 Festival program on the Stage “Summer Theater” in Marno pole park
(Palace of Culture and Sports “Vasil Levski”)
19 May 2018
13:30 - 21:20 Festival program on the Stage “Summer Theater” in Marno pole park
21:00 Gala Concert Official Closure on the Stage “Summer Theater” in Marno pole park
(Musical Dramatic Theater “Konstantin Kisimov”)