The first edition of the Transfiguration – Behind the Threshold festival opens in the village of Dolen on August 6^th and will be on until the 8^th. The choice of venue is no coincidence. Dolen – an authentic Rhodope village is an architectural reserve with artifacts from the time of the ancient Thracians as well as old Bulgarian churches. Many people with a creative turn of mind have been attracted by the atmosphere here.

Bagpipe player Vesselin Mitev, member of the groups Isihia (Hesychia) and Kayno Yesno Slontse (Like a bright sun) has been living in Dolen for years. He has built a massive stone house with woodcarved doors and household objects. The stage for the Transfiguration festival which is just beyond the threshold of the building, is also made of wood. Just as the music that will be played on it is “behind the threshold” of any conventional view of tradition.

“Somewhere in the Rhodope Mountains, there lies a small, forgotten village – hushed and preserving the primordial spirit of beginning itself. People, shadows and memories converge in the ruins left of the once dignified stone houses and the well-trodden cobblestone streets. Streets we walk to this day, magical places which immerse us, while we look for the same things our predecessors were seeking – harmony and communion with the world around us. Man and mountain sinking into their own fairytale.” It is difficult to imagine more poetic yet more accurate words to convey the elusive spirit of the magical village. The words belong to the organizers – a group of artistes who are behind the idea of Transfiguration (transfiguration-festival.com/bg ).

One of them - Tsvetan Hadjiev says: “To put it in words is impossible, one has to experience everything that will happen.” Here is how the musicians taking part in the festival were selected:

“They all responded to the invitation very quickly. We selected conceptual projects that were somehow connected. The energy that was generated during the period of preparations is what actually brought the members of Isihia back together again after a 10 year break. Baba Zula – the famous Turkish formation that has constantly been traveling the world will come to Dolen all the way from Mexico. The participants include Balkansky and Theodosii Spassov as well as musicians from Hungary, from Greece… The underlying idea of the festival is an alternative interpretation of folklore. This is in unison with the idea of showcasing the metamorphoses this place has undergone, its past, its present and its future. The spotlight is also on different forms of human activity – from modern digital arts to the ancient handicrafts. Work on this project has been on for several years. The festival space covers an area of 1,000 sq. meters. Vesselin Mitev made practically everything for the event by hand. Architect Nikolay Marinov’s contribution is invaluable, it was he that thought of incorporating ideas by Leonardo da Vinci from 500-600 years ago. I would like to be very clear - one person can never carry through a project of such proportions. We work as a team, each in his own sphere. We feel sure that the higher the aim we set ourselves, the bigger the things that will happen. And we put our hearts into everything we do.”

We must agree with Tsvetan that Transfiguration is a project of impressive proportions. The intriguing and unorthodox events themselves may be alluring but the organizers also have to think of a host of material, yet vital things. And it seems they have done so. The relatively confined range of people who have purchased tickets are provided access to all concerts, workshops and events, as well as tent and parking space. The food that will be on sale will be made entirely using local organic food. Music will be performed on two stages throughout almost the entire festival.

English version: Milena Daynova