International Festival of Old Bells in Zheleznitsa Village Peshtera

The first edition of the International Festival of Old Bells, Rattles, and Folk Costumes will be held on May 1 in the Zheleznitsa village of Peshtera. The honorary guest of the event will be folk singer Iliya Lukov, Stoyan Stoyanov from the team of the Chitalishte "Kruger Nikolov 1922" in the village told BTA.

He said that the initiative for the festival arose years ago and was taken up by local resident Simcho Zakharianov - a collector of bells and rattles, who has been developing his rich collection for years and actively promoting the tradition. "The topic has been discussed for a long time, although we have enough folklore festivals in the village. I initially had reservations due to our busy calendar, but in the end we decided that it was time for this festival to happen, and this year will be its first edition," Stoyanov said.

According to him, the Chitalishte in Peshtera is a co-organizer of the event, while the main organization is undertaken by Zakharianov. He has sent invitations to his collector friends from Turkey, Greece, and Romania, who will also exhibit their bells and rattles.

In addition to the exhibition part, the festival's focus will also be on the folklore program with the participation of Pernik ensembles. "We are concentrating our efforts on the folklore program, which will feature dance ensembles and singing groups, and the concert will last about two hours," the representative of the Chitalishte in the Zheleznitsa village clarified.

During the gathering, there will also be an exhibition of folk costumes and a contest for the lightest and heaviest bell, which will additionally add color to the event. Visitors will also be able to try local dishes prepared by the women from the Folklore Group "Klubuchka Kitka" at the Chitalishte.

The festival will not have a competitive character, the participants will receive certificates and plaques, and in addition, their transportation costs will be covered and their meals will be provided.

Stoyanov noted that interest in the event is high, especially among enthusiasts and collectors from the Pernik Region. This is due to the strong local surva traditions and the key role of bells and rattles in them. The exhibition will include private individuals, chitalishte, and various organizations. The festival will be held outdoors in the yard of the mayor's office and the church in Peshtera, where an open stage has been set up. "We hope the weather will be favorable and this day will turn into a real celebration for all those who love bells, folk costumes, and Bulgarian folklore," the chitalishte representative added.

Registration for participation continues until April 25, and the organizers' contacts are published on the Facebook page of the Chitalishte in Peshtera.

Source: Мироглед