On 13 and 14 February 2026, the tenth anniversary edition of the Scientific Seminar “Thracians, Wine and Culture” took place at the Archaeological Complex “Valley of the Thracian Kings” near Shipka – a forum dedicated to Thracian heritage, the symbolism of wine, and contemporary approaches to cultural memory.
For the fourth consecutive year, the team of EurofolkTV participated as a partner and filmed all major and accompanying events included in the programme. A review film of the anniversary edition will be broadcast in the April issue of the television programme “Folklorna Trapeza”, while extended video material will be presented in the third and fourth episodes of the show.
Among the first highlights of the programme was the implementation of a digital video conversion of traditional dishes and wines from the region. The project was carried out by the teams of EurofolkTV and “Folklorna Trapeza”, with chief producer Kaloyan Nikolov. The filming of the recipes took place in the restaurant of the Shipka Monastery, part of the Stara Zagora Metropolis, with the participation of Dobrina Rusenova and Kina Vasileva. In front of the cameras, they prepared wine kebab, monastery-style bean soup, soda bread, and rolled banitsa with eggs and cheese, while also presenting insights into local cuisine and traditions.
The abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Pankratiy, presented the spiritual significance of Shipka’s emblem – the Memorial Church “Nativity of Christ” – and its place in the historical and national memory.
The idea for the seminar originated in 2017 on the initiative of Dr. Vesela Georgieva, in memory of her mother – archaeologist and long-time Deputy Director of the “Iskra” Historical Museum in Kazanlak, Krasimira Stefanova-Georgieva. Since 2018, the forum has been organized annually on 14 February – the Day of Bulgarian Archaeologists and the feast of Trifon Zarezan – and has established itself as a platform for scientific exchange and cultural dialogue.
The anniversary programme began on 13 February with the opening of the photo exhibition “Megalithic Messages from Antiquity” and continued with a lecture session dedicated to Thracian sanctuaries. The official opening on 14 February was held in a hybrid format – on site at the archaeological complex and with online broadcasting – preceded by a folklore programme featuring the Male Folk Singing Group “Nashentsi”, Dance Formation “Eltimira” at Community Centre “Tsvyatko Radoynov – 1885”, town of Krun, Community Centre “Svetlina – 1861”, town of Shipka, and Community Centre “Vyara – 2024”, town of Kazanlak.
Within the scientific panel, leading Bulgarian scholars presented reports examining Thracian culture and spirituality, the symbolism of wine in religious and social practices of antiquity, as well as contemporary opportunities for the digitalization of cultural heritage. The programme was further enriched by a creative workshop on painting with wine – an artistic highlight connecting ancient symbolism with contemporary artistic expression.
The event was realized with the support of the Municipality of Kazanlak, the “Iskra” Historical Museum – Kazanlak, the Archaeological Complex “Valley of the Thracian Kings”, and EurofolkTV, with the support of the European Association of Folklore Festivals and partner scientific and cultural organizations.