Koprivshtitsa welcomes 6000 folklore performers at the 13th edition of the National Gathering

The large-scale folklore forum in Koprivshtitsa started this week with the participation of over 6,000 performers from nearly 800 groups from across the country. The event, which will continue until August 10, is under the patronage of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

The official opening ceremony is planned for August 9, with expected high-ranking guests including Koprivshtitsa Mayor Maria Toromanova, Minister of Culture Marian Bachev, Regional Governor Silviya Arnautska, and Deputy Minister Ashot Kazaryan.

Organizers of the prestigious national forum are the Ministry of Culture, Koprivshtitsa Municipality, Sofia Region Administration, and the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum at BAS. Main media partners are the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency, National Television, and National Radio.

The gathering has clear participation criteria - only bearers of authentic folklore are allowed: singers, musicians, dancers, storytellers of folk legends, and groups representing local traditions. Performers with processed folklore repertoire are excluded.

Participant selection goes through two mandatory stages - regional and national. Experts from the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies perform precise selection, tracking performers' performances and determining the best with official awards.

The gathering's program includes performances on six stages in the Voyvodenets area, where different regions present their folklore treasures. Each day has a specific program and highlights.

On August 8, performances start with groups from Pernik, Sliven, Yambol, Plovdiv, Haskovo, Lovech, and Veliko Tarnovo. The official opening on August 9 will be emblematic with performances by famous artists like Nelina Orashakova and legendary Valya Balkanska.

Special performances include the caroling group from Yambol, the women's group from Satovcha with authentic "high" singing (part of the UNESCO list), Nikolay Todorov with an ancient Markovo song, and the Bistrishki Babi with a traditional harvest song.

The program also includes presentation of authentic customs such as the wedding ritual "zasevka" from Zdravets village and the "Sarbenitsa" dance ensemble from Sofroniyevo. Each region will have the opportunity to showcase its unique folklore identity.

The closing day on August 10 will end with a one-hour concert on the central stage, which will summarize the richness and diversity of Bulgarian folklore. Participants from Gabrovo, Targovishte, Smolyan, Kyustendil, Kardzhali, and Sofia will close this year's National Gathering.

The event continues the tradition of authentic folk art and provides an opportunity for different Bulgarian regions to preserve and promote their intangible cultural heritage.