I do suspect that the folk ensemble tradition was developed by the Soviets, and as Jack said, it is common to many Eastern European countries.. But the examples I gave of Kotel and Plovdiv and "Why study in Bulgaria" would indicate that the state has been proud of its (marketable)folk traditions up to now. The performance that I saw in Ireland of Plovdiv musicians on tour was not, however, a performance of a large ensemble. It was a small ensemble with individual performances as well to demonstrate the various instruments.
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