Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival

Subject: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: GUEST,Hen Harrier
Date: 16 Jun 05 - 10:47 PM

There is a great folklore festival taking place in the Bulgarian Sredna Gora mountains from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th August. It is possibly the biggest in Bulgaria and since 1965, is held every 5 years (I have been to the last two in 1995 & 2000).

The beautiful, small, mountain town of Koprivshtitsa is host to a veritable feast of folklore - costumes, music, singing and dancing. The colourful performances take place on the hills above the town by day, and in the evenings there are often impromptu performances in the cobbled streets and squares. It has been described as a cross between a pop festival and a medieval fair, certainly it's an experience not to be missed, especially the fire dance!

The British Bulgarian Friendship Society are running a tour, further details available from Dr. Annie Kay, Phone/Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail] or visit their website: www.bbfs.org.uk

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: GUEST,Hen Harrier
Date: 18 Jun 05 - 07:55 AM

There are quite a number of other tours being organised by other parties but I mentioned BBFS because I have been on a number of their previous tours and know them to be very well organised.

The "Balkanfolk" website is well worth taking a look at for Bulgarian folk news.

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: Jim Martin
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 09:45 PM

Refresh


Jim Martin

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: GUEST,Mr Happy
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 08:15 PM

http://www.bbfs.org.uk/

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: GUEST,Mr Happy
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 08:16 PM

http://www.bbfs.org.uk/other_tours.php

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: Jim Martin
Date: 08 Sep 05 - 10:49 PM

I attended the festival (my 3rd time) and it was, as usual, absolutely fantastic. According to the official programme, 16,000 participants and 200,000 punters attend!

The organisation of the British Bulgarian Friendship Society who I travelled with was excellent and I would strongly recommend their tours to Bulgaria which I think is a very under-rated country.

It was also very encouraging to see the national TV station covering a lot of the action.

The next festival will be in 2010 and I sincerely hope to be there.

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 Sep 05 - 12:39 AM

One of these years, I will make it over--the timing has never been right--back when I was in a Balkan Band Koprivshtitsa was the requisite pilgrimage--some of my friends came back married to dancers or accordian players, and some never came back at all--glad you enjoyed it, and shared it--

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: Cats at Work
Date: 09 Sep 05 - 06:44 AM

I went to this in 1990 and have sone stunning photographs of it. It is in a superb setting and is a real celebration of their heritage. I combined my visit with a course in Sofia at the National School of Dance to learn traditional Bulgarian dances. I recommend anyone to go. It's an experience not to be missed.

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 09 Sep 05 - 11:34 AM

I have been to Bulgaria five times and would agree with 'Hen Harrier', above, that it is a very underrated country (I confess to being a little obsessed with it, actually!). I haven't yet made it to the Koprivshtitsa Festival - perhaps one day?
Although the last time I went was a few years ago (circumstances have prevented me from going recently)I have to say that every trip I made in the 90s yielded some fantastic music; it seemed to me that even the music put on for tourists was, more or less, the real thing. I heard bagpipes, wonderful accordian players and fabulous singers. On a couple of occasions I recall walking along the streets of some town or village and hearing amazing music (wedding music?) coming from an open doorway!
I recommend Bulgaria highly - but don't all go at once and spoil it!

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: Jim Martin
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 08:46 PM

Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences.

I hope one day, to get a Bulgarian dance group over to my local theatre ("Glor" in Ennis, the county town of Co. Clare) which is a most excellent venue for such a small town - pop. 18,000 ("www.glor.ie").

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 03:54 AM

And you can buy a house with a huge garden in Bulgaria for the price of a second hand car!

Subject: RE: Folklore: BULGARIA Koprivshtitsa Festival
From: Gurney
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 04:08 AM

My niece and her hubby have been spending their holidays there for years, not festivals, they're not much interested in music, just annual holidays. They say it's friendly, pleasant, and your money goes a long way.
Never been near the place myself, but I do wonder if it is Bulgarians spamming me. Don't know what they hope to sell, I can't even read the alphabet.