The Golden Tenth Assembly Near Peshtera Draws Hundreds of Guests and Over 800 Participants

Over 800 performers took part in the anniversary tenth edition of the National Folklore Festival “St. Constantine” near Peshtera, which attracted hundreds of visitors over the two festival days. The organizers describe the event as a stage for Bulgarian customs and folklore, laid out on the Wide Clearing and turned into a showcase of songs, dances, and folk traditions.

The official opening began with words from the deputy mayor of Peshtera, Gulyabina Karamitreva, who highlighted the power of national creativity to unite the community. In the competition program, more than 800 performers from different parts of the country participated, who over the two days demonstrated their performances before the jury.

The jury was led by Rusa Kavroshilova, and its members included Zdravko Mandadzhiev, Ilyan Sandrev, and Maia Jordanova. The first evening was also marked by a concert of Petar Uchkounov, and the “Shirokalashkite Gaidi” gathered dozens of folklore fans at a national level.

Among the official guests were the mayor of Peshtera, Yordan Mladenov, MPs Vasil filev and Plamen Todov, Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Kostadin Geshev, as well as leaders of the Municipal Council and other institutions. In his address, Mladenov thanked the curators and all those contributing to the preservation of Bulgarian customs.

During the ceremony, diplomas, medals, and special commendations were awarded. For contributions to the preservation of folklore, Milena Todorova, Spas Stoynov, and Nikolina Savova were honored, and the Mayor of Peshtera’s Prize was awarded to the Children-Youth Dance Ensemble “Orfei” at CPLR – Smolyan. The grand prize – Grand Prix for the preservation of Bulgarian folklore – went to the band “Megdana” from Chepelare, and the festival’s anniversary prize went to the dance troupe “Iberski Ritmi” from Poibrene village.

The culmination of the first evening arrived with lighting the festival fire by the mayor Yordan Mladenov, symbolically opening the summer in the resort town. The finale was capped off with a concert by the singer Yanitsa, who drew hundreds of guests under the open sky. At present, the competition program continues on Sunday, with the awarding of laureates from the second day scheduled for 16:30.

Source: novini247.com