On September 16 and 17 Harrow Leisure Centre in London is hosting the first Ancient Heritage folklore festival. The event is part of a process started a few years back by Georgi Anadolov aimed at reviving the Bulgarian spirit inside the country and abroad. It all began by incorporating Bulgarian traditions and folklore elements in the gala martial arts nights, organized by Anadolov. But he wanted to carry the idea further, so he decided to bring together, in London, some of the most active folklore ensembles from Bulgaria and elsewhere, among themGergiovden, Priateli (Friends) and the Folklore Magic song and dance ensemble. Though far from Bulgaria, the talented dancers have touched people of different nationalities and generations with their art, says the festival's organizer Kristina Ruzhdanova and adds:

“The Chinari ensemble will travel to London especially for the event. They will present a unique programme of dancing and singing traditions from all folklore regions of Bulgaria. TheGrannies on call, as they call themselves, from Draglishte village near Razlog will give audiences a taste of times long gone by. Granny Deshka, granny Lena and Ganny Yana will generously give out home-made food typical of the region of Razlog, there will be lots of fun. Actually it is the Grannies on call that will kick off the Ancient Heritage festival. After the official programme we shall afford our guests an opportunity to join in the Bulgarian traditions and do the Bulgarian horo dances side by side with the professionals. The gala Fight Night, dedicated to martial arts in combination with Bulgarian folklore elements will be on 17 September, again at Harrow Leisure Centre. Our fighters Anita Doganova, Emil Nikolov, Pavel Vladev and Todor Diklich will be accompanied in the ring by girls in folklore costumes to the sound of traditional music,” says Kristina Ruzhdanova.

In Kristina's view, the program will serve as a source of inspiration for all Bulgarians who live far from their motherland and relatives. Moreover, London is the right place for such events, because thousands of active Bulgarians who have the cause to keep the Bulgarian spirit alive live in that city.

“This event is directed to our fellow citizens abroad who need to be part of such Bulgarian atmosphere. Bulgarian people feel the folklore in their lives on a daily basis. Bulgarian tradition and folklore is present in all important moments of our lives- christenings, weddings, festivals, fairs, anniversaries, etc. Culture is a constantpart of our lives and we feel the strong need of that culture when we are abroad. I hope that our festival would fill our countrymen with inspiration and courage and also allow the English citizens to get acquainted with our customs and traditions. This process will develop in the future and I believe that the first edition of the Ancient Heritage Festival is a small step towards something big which is ahead of us”, Kristina Ruzhdanova concluded.

English version: Milena Daynova