International Folklore Festival
July 25 - 29, 2022
Ancient theater

After a two-year break due to the covid pandemic and worldwide restrictions, for the 26th time the municipality of Plovdiv is the organizer and the city is the host of the International Folklore Festival.

The event, which has become a tradition for the cultural life of Plovdiv, is a real, long-awaited celebration for the residents and guests of the city on hot summer days.

The festival is part of the calendar of cultural events of the municipality and every year it includes folk groups from all over the world, presenting with a lot of beauty, talent and good mood an unforgettable extravaganza of color and rhythms in one of the most emblematic places - the Ancient Theater of Plovdiv .

In the 26th International Folklore Festival from July 25 to 29, 2022, representative folklore ensembles from Argentina, Brazil, Romania, Georgia, Turkey will meet in Plovdiv, and on the Bulgarian side, the Folklore Ensemble "Thrace" - Plovdiv and Folklore Dance Ensemble "Dilyanka". In this edition, "Dilyanka" will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special concert-performance.

Every evening at 5:30 p.m. the defile of the formations will take place. They will start from "Dom Levski", will pass along Main Street and will reach the stage at "Stefan Stambolov" Square, where they will perform short concerts starting at 6:00 p.m. The program will continue with the official evening performances of the participants on the stage of the Ancient Theater from 8:00 p.m.

In addition to the concerts in Plovdiv, there will also be performances in other regions of the district.

The opening ceremony is on July 25, Monday, at 8 p.m. at the Ancient Theater. On the same stage, on the last evening - July 29, Friday, at 8 p.m., the Gala-concert and the ceremony for the official closing of the event will take place.

All concerts are free!

 

Full program of the festival:

July 25, Monday

18.00 Concert on an open stage at "Stefan Stambolov" Square with the participation of groups from Argentina, FA Thrace, Turkey, Romania, Georgia, Brazil and FTA Dilyanka

8.00 p.m. Grand opening of the XXVI International Folklore Festival of the Ancient Theater with the participation of collectives from Argentina, FA Thrace, Turkey, Romania, Georgia, Brazil and FTA Dilianka

 

July 26, Tuesday

18.00 Concert on an open stage at "Stefan Stambolov" Square with the participation of groups from Brazil, Argentina, Georgia and Romania

8.00 p.m. Concert of the Ancient Theater with the participation of groups from Brazil, Argentina, Georgia and Romania
*Concert of FTA Dilyanka and the ensemble from Turkey in the city of Peshtera

 

July 27, Wednesday

18.00 Concert on an open stage at "Stefan Stambolov" square with the participation of groups from Argentina and Georgia and FTA Dilyanka

8.00 p.m. Concert of the Ancient Theater with the participation of groups from Argentina and Georgia

Concert-performance of FTA Dilyanka "With the steps of the past to the magic of the future" on the occasion of 30 years since the creation of the ensemble

*Concert of bands from Romania and Brazil in the city of Peshtera

 

July 28, Thursday

18.00 Concert on an open stage at "Stefan Stambolov" Square with the participation of groups from Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Romania and Georgia

8.00 p.m. Concert of the Ancient Theater with the participation of groups from Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Romania and Georgia

 

July 29, Friday

10.30 a.m. Official meeting of representatives from the teams from abroad with the Mayor of Plovdiv Zdravko Dimitrov and exchange of gifts in the hall of the Plovdiv Municipality, (Stefan Stambolov Square 1)

18.00 Concert on an open stage at "Stefan Stambolov" Square with the participation of groups from Brazil, Turkey, Georgia, FA Trakia and FTA Dilyanka

8.00 p.m. Ceremonial closing of the XXVI International Folklore Festival of the Ancient Theater with the participation of collectives from Brazil, Turkey, Georgia, FA Thrace and FTA Dilyanka

 

Information for participants:

ARGENTINA

BALLET "FOLKLORICO DE LA PROVINCIA DE SANTA CRUZ"

In February 2016, the ballet FOLKLORICO DE LA PROVINCIA DE SANTA CRUZ was launched. In the repertoire of this project there are ten folkloric works, which are collected with the work and contribution of the most important choreographers in Argentina, such as Ariel Sosa, Florencia Pasoni, Fernando Rodríguez, Leo Santander, etc.

The project FOLKLORICO DE LA PROVINCIA DE SANTA CRUZ has made visits to a number of cities in the province of Santa Cruz, and at the national level, in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019, the ballet has been designated as the official dance line-up for the opening of the most popular festival in Córdoba " Jesus Mary". The dancers also take part in numerous television programs. They toured in Turkey, the Philippines, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Bulgaria, etc.

 

BRAZIL

FLOR RIBEIRINHA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

For more than 25 years, the cultural association Flor Ribeirinha has been working to preserve, maintain, protect and spread authentic Brazilian culture, and in particular Siriri and Cururu, as well as other forms such as Boi Bumbá, Frevo, Samba, etc.

Flor Ribeirinha was founded in the city of Cuiaba, in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil, in the historic community called São Gonzalo Beiro Rio, where the association takes care of the preservation of the traditions related to the feasts of saints, the production of pottery and typical foods and drinks.

Since 2010, the group Flor Ribeirinha has toured the American continent, visiting the countries of Peru, Paraguay and Argentina. In partnership with the Brazilian Federation of Folk Arts - FEBRARP BRASIL Flor Ribeirinha participated in major international folklore festivals in Europe, including in France - Martigue, Montoire and Confolance, in Italy - Tarcento, Apiro, etc., and in 2016 she competed in "Cheonan World Dance Festival" in South Korea, winning the prestigious 2nd place. In 2017, the group participated in one of the biggest art and culture competitions - "18th Festival of Buyukçekmece" in Turkey, presenting the show MATO GROSSO DANÇANDO BRASIL, presenting the traditional Brazilian dances with the numerous and characteristic nuances, rhythms and gestures.

 

ROMANIA

FOLKLORE GROUP "DOR TRANSYLVAN"

 "Dor Transilvan" is one of the most famous Romanian folk bands. She is a true guardian of Romanian folk songs and dances from the multicultural region of Transylvania. The band was founded in 1994 and has had an amazing run for that period.

The average age of the group members is around 20 years old and most of them are students. "Dor Transilvan" has a rich repertoire: songs, dances and traditional customs from all regions of Romania. Because of its good choreography and excellent orchestra, the group is suitable for any kind of show, outdoor concerts, etc. The suites they perform are from famous historical regions of Romania: Oas, Bihor, Moldova, Codru, Chintau.

Over the years, the group has participated in many European festivals in France, Italy, the Czech Republic, England, Belgium, Poland, etc. being the winner of a number of awards and cups. Last year, at the International Folklore Festival from Italy-Gorica, the group was awarded the special prize for instrumentality and virtuosity.

 

GEORGIA

"YOLOSHTEBAMI" ENSEMBLE

The Children's Georgian National Dance Ensemble "Yiloshtyebami" was established in 2005 as the base of the secondary school and the House of Creativity in Zugdidi region. The creative director of the ensemble is the choreographer Georgi Surmava. Since its establishment, Ioloshtebami has won first places in the republican festivals-competitions in Tbilisi and Batumi. The ensemble is in the 3rd age category and has nearly 100 dancers.

The repertoire of the ensemble includes original Georgian dances, but with new creative compositions. The following dances will be performed on the stages in Plovdiv: "Mtiuluri", "Khorumi", "Parikaoba", "Adjaruli", "Svanuri", "Mokseuri", "Rachuli", "Afhazuri", "Hevsuruli".

All the costumes are authentic and the music is played with modern instruments. This year, the ensemble received the Grand Prix at the Republic Festival in Batumi and a recommendation from the Society for the Development of Culture and Tourism to participate in the International Festivals in Sliven and Plovdiv. The ensemble has toured in Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, etc.

 

TURKEY

KUZEYİN USAKLARİ FOLK DANCE GROUP

Kuzeyin Usaklari Folk Dance Group, Ankara, Turkey has been operating since 2003. In their volunteer social projects, folk dance and music activities are used as specific means to develop a shared team spirit and improve understanding of personal and group responsibility.

Kuzeyin Usaklari Folk Dance Group is internationally recognized and enjoys a warm reception during numerous performances and festivals in Turkey and abroad. Artists strictly maintain the image of authentic Turkish culture in its original form.

Kuzeyin Usaklari Folk Dance Group had the honor of being the first and only folk dance troupe to participate in the finals of Turkey's Talent in 2011, breaking ratings records on Turkish television.

 

BULGARIA

FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE "THRACIA" - PLOVDIV

Chief Artistic Director: Prof. Dr. Daniela Jeneva

Folklore Ensemble "Trakiya" Plovdiv was established in 1974. Its creative image was created by Prof. Kiril Jenev, but it developed over the years with the help of the greatest authors in the field of folklore. Performers have always had a significant contribution to this unfading creative charge.

For 45 years now, "Trakia" has been an innovator in musical and dance forms, never for a moment breaking the connection of contemporary art with the deep roots of Bulgarian folklore, rites and legends. The performances of the Ensemble go beyond traditional concerts and in a brilliant way reveal the huge folklore wealth of Bulgaria from all ethnographic areas.

Until now, thousands of concerts have been performed in all corners of Bulgaria and in more than 60 countries around the world. Ensemble "Trakiya" is an emblem of the city of Plovdiv and a unique Bulgarian achievement for world stage culture.

 

BULGARIA

FOLKLORE DANCE ENSEMBLE "DILYANKA"

Chief artistic director: Maria Kyoseva

Folklore Dance Ensemble "Dilyanka" city of Plovdiv was established in 1992. by choreographer Maria Kyoseva. Over 100 girls and boys dance in the ensemble, divided into three groups – preparatory school, middle group and youth formation. The repertoire of "Dilyanka" includes dances from all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria. The colorful costumes and dynamics of the dances captivate the audience not only in our country, but also abroad. For 30 years now, the ensemble has been among the most active in the cultural life of Plovdiv. The folklore group "Dilyanka" has repeatedly been a laureate of our and international folklore festivals. The dancers' successful tours include tours in the Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Belgium, France, Italy, Cyprus, Denmark and many others, from which they have received numerous festival awards over the years.

 

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