Singing groups and performers from across Bulgaria will meet in Burgas on September 29-30 for the 15th national festival "Silver in the hair, song in the soul by the sea of Burgas," Burgas council says. The two-day event fills the hall of the NHK Culture House with music and folklore, and entry is free.

The festival marks October 1, International Day of Older Persons. The SP 2004 association and Burgas council are running it, with mayor Dimitar Nikolov as patron.

Bands and solo singers from pensioners' clubs, chitalishtes and cultural groups across Bulgaria will take the stage. Organisers say the festival also lets people meet others who share their love of Bulgarian song and performing, and that age is no barrier to creativity or to standing in front of an audience.

The festival has run for 15 years, aiming to keep Bulgarian traditions alive.

It opens on September 29 at 10:00 in the hall of the NHK Culture House. This year's event ends on September 30 at 17:30 with a gala concert of highlights from both days.