On June 21 we mark the International Day of Yoga founded by the United Nations at the end of 2014 at the proposal of the former Indian Premier Shri Narendra Modi. The International Day of Yoga has been gaining constant popularity in Bulgaria. Between June 15 and 23 many Bulgarian cities, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Burgas, Varna, Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo and Pleven will celebrate the International Day of Yoga with their own programmes.

The main event will be held on June 16 at the National Palace of Culture. The organizers- the Bulgarian Yoga Federation, the East-West Indological Foundation and many co-organizers have prepared a rich programme that will be presented in four halls. The entrance to all lectures and demonstrations is free of charge. The program starts at 10 am and the official opening is at 11am at Hall No 3 at the National Palace of Culture. The Ambassador of the Republic of India to Bulgaria Pooja Kapur, diplomats and intellectuals are also expected to attend the event. The yoga demonstrations and lessons will be held in the same hall. They will be entrusted to the best yoga teachers in Bulgaria. In Hall No 3.1 scientists will deliver lectures on various topics related to the nature of yoga. Special practices and trainings for adults, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities will be presented in two separate chambers of Hall No 3.2. Those who would like to get acquainted with the holistic science for health and well-being Ayurveda should go to Hall No 10. Engineer Anna Bakalova, lecturer at the National Sports Academy and a Board Member of the Bulgarian Yoga Federation presents some of the foreign participants:

The Bulgarian Yoga Federation invited two lecturers from India. One of them-Doctor Sharad Bhalekar will deliver a very interesting lecture on how to control chronic diseases through Yoga. He will explain what causes the allergies and the migraines. In his view, they can not only be controlled, but also healed with yoga exercises, because the methods of modern medicine are not fully effective. He will teach visitors techniques used for successful treatment of these diseases. Doctor Bhalekar is Director of one of the most famous yoga institutes-Kaivalyadhama whose motto is Where Yoga Tradition and Science Meet. The Bulgarian Yoga Federation has long-term relations with this institute and many Bulgarians studied there. The other lecturer Doctor Nisar Shaikh is an Ayurveda doctor who has a private clinic and many patients. He will visit Bulgaria for the third time. His lecture is also very interesting, because it is on autoimmune diseases which unfortunately are very common nowadays. There are nearly 80 autoimmune diseases and experts believe that their number is yet to increase. Doctor Shaikh offers the so-called Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy which is based on the ancient teachings adapted to the modern people.

The participants at the event can also buy books of large publishing houses, souvenirs, etc. Indian vegetarian food, Continental vegetarian and vegan food will be sold. The festival will end with a unique show where the most ancient classical Indian dance-drama Kathakali will be presented for the first time in Bulgaria. It emerged in the 17^th century and now is preserved in Southeast India only. Kathakali includes music, vocal performance, choreography, pantomime, make-ups, costumes and masks. The show begins at 7 pm at Hall No 3. The entrance is free of charge.

Photos: private library

English version: Kostadin Atanasov