The group for authentic folklore in the village of Alino, western Bulgaria, has for decades been keeping alive ancient folk songs from this part of the country. The group’s leader is Momchil Chalakov, a young and energetic man who grew up in Alino. Since early childhood he has been fascinated with the incredible antiphonal singing technique of the women from the village, a skill passed down from generation to generation. This is a distinct style of two-voice singing performed by two groups of female singers – one of the groups sings and the other group replies.
Local folk music though is more than that. As a child, Momchil was impressed by the tune of a simple shepherd’s whistle called pishtialka. This whistle and its unexpected capacity inspire the young man to devote a lot of time and effort to studying folk music traditions in Alino. His grandmother, her sisters and the whole extended family are famous local folk singers. He recorded them singing and he later taught their songs to the folk choir he leads. Its repertoire boasts in excess of 200 Alino songs.
English: Daniela Konstantinova
Over 1000 people, keepers of Bulgarian spirit and traditions, gather in Balchik on the Black Sea from 21 to 24 September for the International Folklore Festival "Sea of Rhythms". The festival will feature live performances by singers and dancers..
The town of Vidin (Northwestern Bulgaria) hosts the Blue Danube International Folklore Festival for the fourth consecutive year. The event takes place in the Danube Park and continues until Sunday, September 3. The festival‘s mission is to..
More than 3,500 people will take part at the 17th National Thracian Folklore Festival " Bogorodichna Stapka " in the resort village of Starozagorski Bani, Stara Zagora region . The official opening is at 11:00 am today. The National..
+359 2 9336 661