Magic of traditions: Festival in Zheravna takes us back to the Bulgarian roots

Every year at the end of August, the Zheravna Architectural Reserve turns into a time machine. The picturesque Dobromeritsa forest area hosts the Festival of the National Folk Costume – an event that requires every visitor to dress in a Bulgarian folk costume and leave modern technology aside.

The upcoming 18th edition has a strong historical charge, as it is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising. It is important for foreign guests to know that this was the largest attempt by Bulgarians to free themselves from the five-century Ottoman yoke in 1876 – an event that precedes the Liberation and restoration of Bulgarian statehood. The festival's opening ceremony on Friday, as well as the spectacular lighting of the festival bonfire at 10 p.m. on August 22, will be connected to this anniversary, says the festival's creator Hristo Dimitrov in an interview with Stefka Bakardzhieva from BNR-Burgas:

"This year there are two highlights. One is the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising - this is a very big anniversary and many of the events will be linked to this theme. The other big highlight is the children of Bulgaria. There have always been many children at the festival in Zheravna and they have taken part in the programs, but this year will be much more special," says Hristo Dimitrov, who is a choreographer and creator of ensemble "Bulgare". According to him, every year the festival develops and this year's edition will not be a repeat of the previous ones.

The traditional competitions for costumes, jewelry will be supplemented this year with another novelty - a "Boyanitsa" competition.

"For the first time, a Boyanitsa will be chosen at the festival - this is a title for the most beautiful and worthy girl in the settlement. She will be something like the queen of the festival and the competition will be done in a very interesting way."

The festival has a rich program with many performers, but as Hristo Dimitrov says, it is not the performers who create the atmosphere of this event, but the visitors, dressed in Bulgarian folk costumes. However, he pointed out the night performances of ethno folk music:

"They start around 2:00 in the morning, when the orchestras and singers have sung enough, people have had enough fun and are a little tired. That is when this ethno folk jamboree begins. This year it will include singer Mona and my greatest joy - the group «Bulgara», which has recovered after a rather long break. Also, there will be many other singers and orchestras," says Hristo Dimitrov and proudly summarizes: "Every year the festival is different!"

The interest in the event is huge, with nearly 25,000 people expected. The places in the hotels within a radius of 70 km from the festival are sold out months in advance, so many guests choose to spend the night outdoors under the bright stars. This is because the festival in Zheravna offers not only a spectacle, but also an opportunity for everyone to feel part of a living centuries-old tradition.

Interview: Stefka Bakardzhieva, Bulgarian National Radio-Burgas

Editor: Elena Karkalanova