It is worth mentioning that the hosts from Sozopol Rainbow had great organization and the festival did not charge an admission fee. For the soloists who needed accompaniment, a special band was available. The CEO of the festival is Pepa Zapryanova, a popular Standja Mountain singer, vocal pedagogue and conductor of a children’s group. Her experience in organizing festivals and similar events has showed in the successful second edition of Sozopol Rainbow.

„For s second year in a row, Sozopol Rainbow National Folklore Festival has been held under the patronage of the mayor of the Municipality Panayot Reizi”, Mrs Zapryanova says. The contest presents talents in folk music and dancing. It opened on 21 Nov, the Day of the Christian family. Each participant received a diploma for participation, and winners were selected by a professional jury. Many dance and vocal groups appeared at the festival performing both traditional folklore and folklore adaptations. There were many individual contestants, 160 in various age groups. Fortunately, we had many children who both sang and played instruments. The level was high and the jury had some hard time, but in the end judging was accurate. There were special prizes for exceptional achievements. In the first place, I should like to mention two prizes for remarkable performance of folk songs – to Petya Paneva from Dobry Hristov National School of Arts in Varna, and to Plamena Ilieva from Burgas. A prize was given to the youngest participant, 4-year-old Katerina Louchkova from Detelina Nursery School in Burgas. The oldest participant was a skilful bag-pipe player aged 86. Special prizes were given to young teachers and for achievements in teaching.”

For the first time the traditional Bulgarian costume was presented. The Ruchey (Brook) group for authentic folklore from the town of Topoli, Varna region, presented characteristic folk costumes. „I am happy that folklore is alive in the hearts of young and old and I am happy that Bulgaria’s heritage will be preserved”, Pepa Zapryanova said in conclusion. 

English Daniela Konstantinova

The audio file contains the following folk songs:

1.  Lyube George le (O Sweetheart, George), Natalia Vladimirova singing

2.  V selo voinitsi sbiraha (Soldiers Summoned in the Village), Pepa Zapryanova singing