Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Balkan festival of Bulgarian songs – Apriltsi 2018

The festival of Bulgarian folklore steeped in the beauty of the Balkan Range

БНР Новини
Photo: library

Every summer the town of Apriltsi and its neighbourhood called Ostrets play host to the “Balkan festival of Bulgarian songs”. The idea of the festival is to bring together amateur groups and soloists from both sides of the Balkan Range, and guests from near and far to enjoy the singing, but also the incredible diversity of herbs, the crystal-clear spring water, the stunning landscapes. The festival takes place on the night before Enyovden – Midsummer’s Day, 24 June. That is the reason why it brings together the life-giving power of herbs with folklore.

Horo from Ostrets, performed by accordionist Misho Buzhev, born in Ostrets residential area of Apriltsi, a renowned performer and one of the festival’s organizers.

Veliana Angelova, secretary and librarian at the “Budeshte (future) – 1894” chitalishte in Ostrets, in the town of Apriltsi, with more about the folklore event:

“The “Balkan festival of Bulgarian songs” is taking place for the 18th consecutive year with the support of Apriltsi municipality and the chitalishte (community culture club) in Ostrets residential area. The festival gives the symbolic start to the tourist summer – with the surrounding pristine nature, the crystal-clear air, the stunning landscapes and hiking trails. The event is connected with Enyovden – Midsummer’s Day – and in our part of the country we have unique herbs. More than 35 ensembles and groups have signed up for the festival, a great many of the participants are young people. This means tradition is alive in Bulgaria. At our chitalishte we have 5 amateur ensembles who sing and dance. We have an authentic folklore group, a vocal group, a quartet, a folk horo dancing club, a drama group. We have a pottery club (the so-called Troyan pottery being typical of the region), clubs for bronze casting, fine arts etc. The chitalishte is a veritable hub of the spirit. It gives me great pleasure to extend an invitation to the Balkan festival of Bulgarian songs– it opens at 10 AM on Saturday, 23 June, in the square in front of the chitalishte building in Ostrets, in the town of Apriltsi. Come and have some fun, feel the magic of folklore and take in the beautiful landscapes! It is well worth it.”


English version: Milena Daynova




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

With the magic of the horo dance in Razlog

On June 28 and 29th, the city of Razlog, in the region of Blagoevgrad, will present the magic of Bulgarian folklore. In these days, the XIII Festival of traditional horo dance will be held on the central square "Preobrazhenie".  The..

published on 6/28/24 8:25 AM

Midsummer herbs and water have magical powers

Early in the morning, young men and women gather in the meadows to play with the sun. "It is believed that the sun dances and shimmers on Enyovden at sunrise, because it is the longest solstice of the year". This is the most important thing to know about..

published on 6/24/24 7:00 AM

22 June is Bulgarian Folklore Day

Today is Bulgarian Folklore Day, designated as such by the Ministry of Culture in 2019. The idea for such a day belongs to Chinary folklore ensemble, with the support of the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices , percussionist Stoyan..

published on 6/22/24 11:36 AM