One horo, two bagpipes: Bulgaria and Greece meet at Huhla

Bulgarians and Greeks will join in a traditional horo dance on September 6 on St Iliya Peak above the village of Huhla, near Ivaylovgrad. The gathering is part of the international Mysteries of Huhla festival, which runs from September 5 to 7, bringing together history, folklore and art under the motto “Humanity Without Borders”.

The gala concert, “One Dance, Two Bagpipes – Bulgarian and Greek”, begins at 7 pm on September 6 at the amphitheatre on mount St Iliya. The programme features local performers, the Gagauzi dance ensemble from the Greek town of Orestiada and groups from Kardzhali. It will end with Bulgarians and Greeks joining in a horo in front of the saint’s chapel.

On September 5, local residents will recreate the 1906 revolt by the women of Huhla for church and school independence. The festival will also mark 100 years since the restoration of the local St Nicholas Church, which was blown up in 1913.

On September 6, a culinary exhibition opens in the village square at 4 pm, followed at 4.30 pm by an exhibition of works by artists from six continents submitted to the “Huhla, Centre of the World” cartoon competition.

The festival ends on September 7 with a trip along the “Path of Mysteries” near the Arda River, setting off from Huhla village square at 9 am.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova