National Geographic makes documentary about Kukeri masked dancers

Unique photos of masked Kukeri dancers are circulating on the internet, showing the making of a National Geographic documentary filmed in the Bulgarian ski resort of Bansko. For the second week in a row, the channel's film crew is in the Bansko area. They are shooting a film about the traditions of the mountain town, which will be broadcast as part of the Europe from Above  series. The first stage of the filming took place on January 1, during the Kukeri festival, according to the Pirinsko.com website.

Early in the morning of January 6, on the eve of Yordanovden, Kukeri dancers from all the districts of Bansko took the cable car up the mountain and "conquered the Pirin", the website reported, posting photos of the event on social networks.

The photos were taken by photographers Alexander Tsiguriyn and Boris Kolchagov. "The Bansko Kukeri conquered the mountain and it was as if the universe unfolded to show the beauty of nature, traditions and people," the online post said.

Last year, Bulgaria was featured in the fourth season of Europe from Above, which shows stunning aerial views of the Old Continent. Viewers of one of the world's most watched popular science TV channels saw fantastic footage of the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon, the Sound and Light Show in Veliko Tarnovo, the mystical Paneurhythmy dance at the Seven Rila Lakes and other breathtaking aerial shots of Bulgaria.

National Geographic has presented the Bulgarian tradition of Kukeri on other occasions. In January 2021, photographs of the masked dancers taken by Bulgarian photographer Ivo Danchev were published in the magazine in an article entitled Between Two Worlds, about masquerade rituals in Bulgaria.  Last year, Ivo explored the Kukeri's connection to animal husbandry. It's a very old and strong one! And recently he presented his latest project on the Kukeri.