Slavic heritage in hearts: Ethno-festival "Slavic language - the soul of the people" in the village of Rivne

On May 26, 2025, in the village of Rivne, Odesa region, the 14th ethno-festival "Slavic Language - the Soul of the People" took place, initiated by the Association of Bulgarians of Ukraine, headed by President Anton Kisse. The event was dedicated to the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture, when the village hosts welcomed distinguished guests who joined the celebration and supported the common cause of preserving and promoting the Slavic heritage.

Among the honored guests were the head of the Bessarabian Village Council, Sava Chernev, the Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Odesa, Svetoslav Ivanov, the Vice-President of the Association of Bulgarians of Ukraine, Mikhail Radev, the deputy of the Odesa Regional Council, Triфon Antov, the deputy head of the Artsyz City Council, Olena Shatalova, and the representative of the Tarutyne Cultural and Educational Society, Viktor Cherbadzhi.

The festival featured the most outstanding dance and vocal groups from the entire region, including the Folk Dance Ensemble "Bessarabian", the Folk Orchestra "Samotsviaty", the Folk Vocal Ensemble "Vesnyanka", the Folk Dance Ensemble "Azaliya", the Folk Folklore Ensemble "Gyulmyanka", the Folk Dance Ensemble "Natkhnennia", the Vocal Ensemble "Georgina", the Folk Ensemble "Neposedy", the Folk Vocal Ensemble "Roden kray", the Folk Dance Ensemble "Vazrazhdane", the Folk Vocal Ensemble "Zlatoglastsi", the Dance Ensemble "Tvardishka mladost" from Moldova, the Folk Music Orchestra "Khoro Burgudzhi", and the Folk Song and Dance Ensemble "Gerdan". Solo artists from the folk theater of variety songs "Pearl of Bessarabia" - Stepan Kuruch, Sergey Soldat, Kseniya Torgan, and Maria Uzun also performed.

The highlight of the event was the twins from the village of Luzhanka - Kirill and Methodius, whose names symbolically coincide with the names of the spiritual enlighteners, in honor of whom this holiday is celebrated. Their presence added a special memorability to the event, and the guests prepared gifts for them.

The festival for the Day of Slavic Writing united generations, creativity, and respect for the deep cultural roots of the people. This is a celebration when the stage is filled with the colors of national costumes, the melodies of folk songs, and lively dances, full of sincere emotions, pride in the native word, and traditions.