А folklore festival, “Live heritage”, marked the Bulgarian independence day in Sofia

Georgi Georgiev

The folklore festival “Live Heritage” took place on 22 of September in South Park in Sofia. On this day in 1908 in the town of Veliko Tarnovo, Prince Ferdinand announced the independency of Bulgaria. After that Bulgaria turned from Principality into Bulgaria Kingdom.

In honor of this significant event folklore artists and performers from all over the country presented the songs, the dances, the traditions and the customs of their native places. The event was organized by Eurofootball and “Civil Initiative Workshop” foundation.

Many popular and not so famous songs were sang and the dance ensembles showed how dynamic and rich of symbols are the Bulgarian dances. There were spectacles, representing the authentic Bulgarian working-bee and engagement. With genuine sense of humor the amateur actors showed how the young men had banter the lasses under the watchful eyes of their parents. It was very interesting to watch the colourful and polysemantic rituals which had to be performed by the young couple and their families before they make a promise to each other.

The folklore festival “Live Heritage” aims to keep the traditions and the riches of Bulgarian folklore. There were special tents putted up around the scene. In these tents the visitors had the opportunity to see and learn about the particular folklore region. The audience was astonished by a young girl, who showed enviable abilities behind the loom. Spectators could also make a straw doll, ritual bread, or many other symbols which keep the national identity and the historical memory of Bulgaria.