Burgas to host major folklore forum in 2026

Burgas will host a large-scale forum dedicated to Bulgarian professional folk musical and dance art. This became clear after a working meeting of representatives of the industry in the seaside town. The event, which will be held in March 2026, is emerging as the largest professional forum in this field.

It is expected that over 1100 dancers, singers and musicians will arrive in Burgas to present their talent to the public. Participants will be professional dance and music ensembles, four academic ensembles, representatives of higher education institutions offering training in folk music and dance art, as well as the Folk Music Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio.

During the meeting, the schedule of the upcoming concerts was specified. All performances will be presented in the hall of the Burgas State Opera. From March 20 to 29, within nine evenings, the residents and guests of Burgas will have the opportunity to enjoy the performances of professional folk ensembles. Two ensembles will be presented each evening, each of them having 60 minutes at their disposal for their presentation.

The working meeting was attended by the heads of a number of famous folk ensembles and institutions. Representatives of the National Folk Ensemble "Philip Kutev" - Sofia, Folk Ensemble "Thrace" - Plovdiv, Folk Ensemble "Pirin" - Blagoevgrad, Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances "Pazardzhik" - Pazardzhik, Folk Ensemble "Rodopa" - Smolyan, Municipal Folk Ensemble "Zagore" - Stara Zagora, Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances "Sliven" - Sliven, Folk Ensemble "Tundzha" - Yambol, Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances "Dunav" - Vidin, Severnyashki Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances "Ivan Valev" - Pleven, "Kapanski Ensemble" - Razgrad, Professional Folk Ensemble "Mizia" - Targovishte, Professional Folk Ensemble "Dobrudzha" - Dobrich, Folk Music Orchestra of BNR - Sofia, National Music Academy "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" - Sofia, Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts "Prof. Asen Diamandiev" - Plovdiv, Southwestern University "Neofit Rilski" - Blagoevgrad, as well as the Dance Ensemble at the Higher School of Security "Chernorizets Hrabar" - Varna, together with the Professional Folk Ensemble "Strandzha" - Burgas.

Here is the program of the event:

FESTIVALS OF PROFESSIONAL FOLK MUSIC AND DANCE ART - BURGAS 20 – 29.03.2026

P R O G R A M

20.03.2026 (Friday)

6:00 p.m. – Official opening

6:30 p.m. – PFA "Strandzha" – Burgas

21.03.2026 (Saturday)

6:00 p.m. – ANPT "Pazardzhik" – Pazardzhik

7:30 p.m. – SANPT "Ivan Valev" – Pleven

22.03.2026 (Sunday)

6:00 p.m. – AFH and AFO of NMA "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" – Sofia

7:30 p.m. – AFA at AMTI "Prof. Asen Diamandiev" – Plovdiv

23.03.2026 (Monday)

6:00 p.m. – Folk Music Orchestra of BNR – Sofia

7:30 p.m. – FA "Rodopa" – Smolyan

24.03.2026 (Tuesday)

6:00 p.m. – ANPT "Dunav" – Vidin

7:30 p.m. – OFA "Zagore" – Stara Zagora

25.03.2025 (Wednesday)

6:00 p.m. – PFA "Mizia" – Targovishte

7:30 p.m. – FA "Tundzha" – Yambol

26.03.2026 (Thursday)

6:00 p.m. – PFA "Dobrudzha" – Dobrich

7:30 p.m. – FA "Pirin" – Blagoevgrad

27.03.2026 (Friday)

6:00 p.m. – SFA at SWU "Neofit Rilski" – Blagoevgrad

7:30 p.m. – ATT at VSU "Chernorizets Hrabar" – Varna

28.03.2025 (Saturday)

6:00 p.m. – "Kapanski ensemble" – Razgrad

7:30 p.m. – FA "Thrace" – Plovdiv

29.03.2026 (Sunday)

6:00 p.m. – ANPT "Sliven" – Sliven

7:30 p.m. – NFA "Philip Kutev" - Sofia