Scientists from the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum in partnership with the Institute of Art Studies jury and document the program of the assembly

The Vice-President of BAS Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov attended the official opening of the 13th edition of the National Festival of Folklore in Koprivshtitsa. This year’s edition was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov who welcomed the participants.

“Thanks to the work of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the current young performers can hear and see their grandparents and great-grandparents – how they danced 60 years ago. We must do our best to preserve this tradition, despite the difficulties and the change of generations,” the Vice-President of BAS told the media in Koprivshtitsa. “The festival owes its existence to Rayna Katsarova, born in Koprivshtitsa, who worked at the Institute of Music at BAS. Her vision, supported by other eminent personalities in the field, was for a national folklore gathering – until then only regional events had been held,” he explained, stressing that this work had created an invaluable archive that allowed the modern audience to experience the authentic Bulgarian folklore of past decades.

Prof. Emmanuel Moutafov stressed that the Koprivshtitsa festival was more than just music and dance. It includes reenactments of rituals, storytelling, anecdotes and other elements that enrich the experience and offer a more complete picture of Bulgarian folk heritage. “Despite the challenges and generational changes, this tradition must be preserved. The festival is not only a celebration but also a living archive – a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Bulgarian culture,” the Vice-President said in his speech.

The Mayor of Koprivshtitsa Maria Toromanova, the Minister of Culture Marian Bachev and the Governor of Sofia Region Silvia Arnautska were among the dignitaries of the event. President Rumen Radev sent a congratulatory address.

This 13th edition of the Assembly is an anniversary – it marks 60 years since the beginning of the initiative. The Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum (IEFSEM – BAS) in partnership with the Institute of Art Studies (IAS – BAS) was a co-organizer of the National Festival of Folklore which was held from 8 to 10 August on six stages in the “Voivodenets” area. A team from both institutes once again judged and documented the program of the festival. During the three days of the assembly, more than 6000 people (nearly 800 groups and individual performers) from all regions of Bulgaria presented their local cultural traditions.

The National Festival of Folklore – Koprivshtitsa was inscribed in the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO) in 2016. In the realization of the event, IEFSEM – BAS and IAS – BAS partnered with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria, Koprivshtitsa Municipality and the Regional Administration of Sofia Region.

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