The Day of Bulgarian Folklore - 22 June, will be traditionally celebrated with a concert entitled Time for Folklore - staged and directed by Assen Pavlov, founder of the Chinari folk ensemble.

The establishment of the holiday was initiated by Assen Pavlov. It was celebrated for the first time in 2019.

On June 22 in Hall No. 1 of the National Palace of Culture, fans of Bulgarian folklore will enjoy the performances of the graduates of the National School of Dance Art and the National Music School Lubomir Pipkov - Sofia, National School of Arts Panayot Pipkov - Pleven, Sofia City Schools Narodni Buditeli and Ivan Bogorov, trio Bulgarina, group Etnotix, and Chinari folk ensemble. These young artists are only a part of the thousands of Bulgarians for whom folk music and dance are a passion and an essential part of their lives.

Among them is the beloved folk singer Verka Siderova, who recently celebrated her 96th birthday. ˮLooking back, my life has passed like a song. But I am still singing today. Probably my last breath in this life will be with a note of my song."

• Verka Siderova: "Life teaches you everything"

"I can't imagine my life without folk songs," says singer Zhechka Slaninkova, but these words could as well be said by any Bulgarian folk singer - famous or unknown.

• Zhechka Slaninkova: I can't imagine my life without the folk songs

The famous northern singer Vasilka Damyanova, who has dedicated decades to folk song as part of the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices, has in recent years been passing on her experience to the young artists in the Voices of Tradition formation, created and led by Daniel Spasov and Milen Ivanov. "I am glad that these young people have respect for the older performers", she says.

• Bulgarian folk singer Vasilka Damyanova: Joy or worry, singing is my salvation

ˮThe Bulgarian folk song is a universe and it will always enchant usˮ, says the beloved Thracian singer Todor Kozhuharov.

Plamena Gospodinova's words testify to the fact that folklore is timeless. "Our children love folk songs, they love the stage, they love to win prizes and the applause, it gives them wings and motivates them," Plamena Gospodinova says about the children from the Ilia Avramov arts club at Dinyo Sivkov Community center in Nova Zagora. "Every child has a different personality, they are also different in age. They are united by the folk song, they perform it happily and heartily," she says.

• When folk music is part of childhood

Folk singer and pedagogue Stoimenka Nedyalkova says: "I wish our compatriots to be proud of our Bulgarian folklore heritage and to pass it on with dignity to our children and grandchildren so that it remains for generations. Because our musical tradition is what distinguishes us from all nations in Europe and the world."

Radio Bulgaria congratulates all those who honor, protect and preserve our cultural traditions and traditional art!

Compiled by: Albena Bezovska