EAFF_review_2019_11

420 participants took part in the International Festival
“Festivals days in Ohrid”
International Festival “Festival days in Ohrid” was held from 23rd to 27th of May, 2019 in Ohrid (Northern
Macedonia). “The event was attended by 9 groups from Turkey, Poland, Croatia, Northern Macedonia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Serbia and Bulgaria. 420 people performed at the stage of our festival.”, the organizers of the
event informed.
Participants had the opportunity to visit all the historical sights of Ohrid, and also to enjoy a boat trip in the
Ohrid lake.
The groups received diplomas and gifts for their successful presentation, provided by the organizers.
7 groups from 5 countries took part in
the Festival days in Herceg Novi
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In the period 31 May – 04 June 2019 in the town of Herceg Novi (Montenegro), the International Festival
“Herceg Novi Mixed Festival” was held. 7 groups and more than 320 participants from Croatia, Romania, Serbia,
Kosovo, and Montenegro took part in the festival, informed the organizer of the festival.
The group leaders received certificates and gifts. Festival evening was finished with dances of all the participants
and audience on the square. During the festival, the groups explored the region, going to various excursions.

This year’s edition of the International Folklore
Festival Skamba Skamba Kankliai is dedicated to
the Lithuanian region - Žemaitija (Samogitia)
From May 21 to 26, the “Skamba Skamba Kankliai” International
Folklore Festival was held in the Lithuanian capital - Vilnius. Folklore
forum welcomed more than 2,000 participants coming from Austria,
Belarus, Estonia, Greece, Karelia (Russia), Lithuania, Poland, Sardinia
(Italy), Tuva (Russia) and Ukraine.
This year’s edition of the festival is dedicated to one of the regions
of Lithuania - Žemaitija (Samogitia). The event united over 40
different events related to Lithuanian traditional culture and folklore
of foreign artists. The spectators had the opportunity to enjoy many
concerts, traditional dance parties, academic conference, folk artists’
fair, traditional craft workshops and contemporary folk music
performances.
The location of the rich festival program was in the park called
“Bernardinų sodas” but there were many events that took place in concert halls in Vilnius, old town squares,
courtyards and streets.
The X International Folklore Dance and Music
Festival “PARALIA SUMMER FESTIVAL” was held
The X International Folklore Dance and Music
Festival “PARALIA SUMMER FESTIVAL” was held
in the period 6-10 June, 2019. The event was held in
the summer tourist resort Paralia, Katerini (Greece).
12 ensembles from Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria,
Montenegro and Italy took part in the folklore
forum. More than 400 participants presented folklore
richness of their nation in the best possible way.
Director of the festival Zoran Strezovski welcomed
the groups’ leaders on June 6th.
On June 7th, a reception was organized for all participants who enjoyed singing and dancing on “Aloha” Beach
in Paralia.
The first festival evening took place on June 8th at the Olympic Beach, and the second one was a concert in
the popular tourist resort of Paralia.
The participants had the opportunity to visit the large Meteora monastery complex, sail yachts and enjoy the
warm Aegean Sea.
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Dance group Srednogorski polah from Ihtiman, Bulgaria
is the Absolute Balkan Champion of Folklore in 2019
The winner of the Balkan Championship of Folklore “Euro Folk - Jiva Voda” 2019 is the Dance group “Srednogorski
polah” - Ihtiman, Bulgaria under the leadership of Mariela Ivanova and Desislava Ivanova. The group
won the Golden medal of the Championship, the Grand Prix Golden “Orpheus”, the title “Absolute Balkan Champion
of Folklore in 2019” and money prize in amount of 1000 Euro which was provided by the Municipality of
Hisarya. The prizes were awarded by the Mayor of Hisarya - Eng. Penka Doykova.
The jury decided that the title “Balkan Vice-Champion of Folklore for 2019”, Silver medal and the Silver “Orpheus”
of the Championship will be awarded to the Group “AS” at the National Children’s Palace - Bucharest, Romania
with artistic director Mona Teodorescu. Bronze medal and the Bronze “Orpheus” of the Balkan Championship
of Folklore and the honorable third place were for the Vocal group “Karlak 2015” from Asenovgrad, Bulgaria
with artistic leader Siyka Karanlakova.
The jury commission of “Euro Folk - Jiva Voda” 2019 was in composition: Maestro Georgi Yankov - musical
specialist, Mr Valentin Halvadzhiev - choreographer, Mrs Mariana Nutsova - ethnologist and program director of
Internet television EuroFolkTV, main media partner of the event.
After a contest in the competition program, the decision of the jury confirmed the winners of the special prizes
in the forum. The Vocal group “Orfey” at the Association for Friendship with the Peoples of Russia and the CIS
- Plovdiv won award in the “Complexity and quality of performances” category. The artistic leader of the group is
maestro-academician Violeta Kovacheva. The special prize of the main media partner of the event EuroFolkTV is
for the Dance group “New Generation” at the “Vdahnovenie” Association in Kyustendil. The group, led by Evgeniy
Vuchkov, received a diploma and a plaque of the television. Special diploma and a plaque from the “Ivan Vazov
1904” Community center were awarded to the Group for authentic folklore “Kuklitsi” at the Center for support and
personal development in Plovdiv. Artistic director of the group is Violeta Shtereva.
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Next special award is from the Hisaraya Municipality - a certificate and a plaque, and were awarded to the Ensemble
for authentic folklore at “Docho Mihaylov 1906” Community center from Babuk village with artistic leader
Neno Petrov.
Diploma and plaque of the European Association of Folklore Festivals were awarded to Bagpipers group “Delyo
Haydutin” at “Hristo Botev 2000” Community center from Rudozem, Bulgaria with artistic director Todor Kaykov.
President of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - Mr Kaloyan Nikolov had the honor to officially
close the VIII Balkan Championship of Folklore “Euro Folk - Jiva Voda” 2019 with the wish “to have the power to
continue to keep the traditions of our ancestors, to keep the wisdom, and to pass it on to the next generations as
we know it but also to enrich it with our knowledge”.
Folklore forum took place from 6th to 10th June, 2019 in the town of Hissarya (Bulgaria). It included 3 full-day
concerts with a total duration of more than 30 hours and with more than 200 folklore groups and individual performers
from Bulgaria and Romania. Hundreds were the performances of folklore songs, dances and customs. There
was organized an accompanying event “Shared traditions - traveling through the time” which included several
modules for illustrating the cultural heritage of the region of Hisarya. There was also presented the renewed Photo
exhibition named “Folklore - shared knowledge. Past, present and future”. Another accompanying event was the
Contest for traditional breads where many local groups and guests took part.
On June 8th, the parade of participants took place and all the artists had the opportunity to receive tickets for a
free visit to the Archaeological Museum and the sites of the Archaeological Reserve of Hisarya during the Championship.
Organizers of the Balkan Champinship of Folklore “Euro Folk - Jiva Voda” are the Municipality of Hisarya,
the “Ivan Vazov 1904” Community center and Euro Folk Academy.
Since its inception, the Championship has been held under the auspices of the European Association of Folklore
Festivals - EAFF, which has 450 members - folklore festivals from around the world. EAFF is a world-renowned,
an accredited organization with consultative relations to UNESCO in the field of preservation of intangible
cultural heritage at the UNSECO’s Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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320 participants presented their national folklore
richness in the IX International Folklore Festival “St. Trinity”
IX International Folklore Festival “St. Trinity” was held in the period 06-10 June, 2019. The event was held in the
Macedonia’s most seductive destination, the tourist town of Ohrid. 10 ensembles from Poland, North Macedonia,
Bulgaria, Republic of Moldova and Turkey attended the festival. More than 320 participants presented their cultural
traditions through the dance and music.
This festival provided the opportunity for the members of the groups to get together, and to met many new different
cultures.
During the festival days, the groups had the chance to cruise with boat on the Lake Ohrid to the beautiful monastery
of St. Naum, to visit the water sources of the Lake Ohrid, and to explore the beauties the old part of Ohrid
offers.
The event was watched by many spectators, enjoying all the performances. Each group left Ohrid with many
wonderful memories, and with the hope to come again in Ohrid.
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EAFF was part of the National workshop
“Preparing nominations” related to the UNESCO’s
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF was one of the institutions included in the National workshop
“Preparing nominations” which was held from 12 to 14 June 2019 in the Hall “Scena 17” in the Ministry of
Culture (Sofia, Bulgaria). The event was organized by the Regional Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural
Heritage in South-Eastern Europe under the auspices of UNESCO in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture
of Republic of Bulgaria.
The 2003 Convention of UNESCO for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was explained during the
seminar. The focus of the training forum was the preparation of nominations (national and multinational applications)
of elements for the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the UNESCO’s List
of Intangible Cultural Heritage that needs an emergency assistance. During the forum EAFF was presented by Ms.
Mariana Nutsova - an ethnologist, program director of Euro Folk TV studio for folklore content, author of dozens of
ethnographic and overview and documentary movies, program coordinator of folklore festivals under the auspices
of the National Commission of UNESCO for Bulgaria, EAFF consultant.
In 2016, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization accredited the EAFF to provide
advisory services to the Intergovernmental Committee within the framework of the 2003 Convention of UNESCO
on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The President of the European Association of Folklore
Festivals - Kaloyan Nikolov is a member of the Executive Council of the Regional Center for Safeguarding of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southeast Europe (under category 2) under the aegis of UNESCO. The Association
is a member of the General Assembly as an NGO.
Lecturers of the seminar were Sasa Sreckovic and Adina Ciubotariu from the European Network for Facilitators
of UNESCO.
Sasa Sreckovic is an ethnologist and curator of the ethnographic museum in Belgrade. He has a special interest
in the field of applied anthropology. He organizes numerous museum events, he is also the manager of the
International Ethnology Film Festival and conducts training under the UNESCO auspices in the form of capacitybuilding
activities in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
Dr Adina Ciubotariu is a senior researcher at the Department of Ethnography and Folklore. Areas of competence
are: ethnography, ethnology, folklore, archiving, intangible cultural heritage and ethnographic didactics. As
a member of the National Commission for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, she represents
Romania at the UNESCO expert level meetings.
In addition to the European Association of Folklore Festivals, which includes 450 folklore festivals from all over
the world, the following institutions also took part in the forum: Institute of Ethnology and Folklore with Ethnographic
Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; National Commission of UNESCO - Bulgaria; Regional centre
for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage; Ministry of Culture; New Bulgarian University; University of
Library Studies and Information Technologies; Regional Historical Museum - Pernik; Regional Historical Museum
- Burgas; Stoyu Shishkov Regional Historical Museum - Smolyan; Regional Historical Museum - Ruse; Museum of
Folk Art Crafts and Applied Arts - Troyan; Boris Hristov Museum; Museum of the Historical and
Architectural Reserve “Bozhentsi”; Regional Historical Museum - Plovdiv;
Museum complex - Bansko; Open Air Ethnographic Museum “Etar”.
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Mummers club “Mirkovo” is the Absolute champion of
International Folklore Festival “Euro Folk - Black Sea”
Mummers club “Mirkovo” is the Absolute champion of the 15th edition of International Folklore Festival “Euro
Folk - Black Sea”. Founder and artistic director of the Bulgarian group for recreation of mummers’ rituals and
games is Iliycho Lalchev. The group won the Grand Prix Golden “Orpheus”. The prize was awarded to the group
during the official closing ceremony by the president of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF, Mr
Kaloyan Nikolov.
Chairman of the jury is Maestro Georgi Yankov - music expert. He and his
colleagues - Mr Damyan Damyanov (choreographer) and Mrs Mariana Nutsova
(ethnologist and program director of EuroFolkTV Internet television) had
the goal to assess the participants’ performances in 6 categories and 2 age
groups. The jury defined the winners of the competition.
First prizes Golden “Orpheus” were awarded to the following groups in the
relevant categories:
Choir “Akvarel” and Choir “Prolisok” from Ukraine won the prize in “Folklore
songs - modern arrangement, children age group’’ category. Art directors of
the groups are Anna Vasilevna and Galina Nikolaevna. Winner from Ukraine
received also gifts from the organizers.
In the “Groups for folklore songs, authentic folklore” category, the jury
awarded two Bulgarian groups - Male folklore vocal group “Rusalii” at “Samoobrazovanie
1928” Community center (Bachevo village) with art director Dimitar
Gandzhov and Folklore group “Varbinski izvori” at “Bratan Shukerov 1953”
Community center (Varbina village) with art director Daniela Sirakova.
Valya Dabova at the “Ivan Vazov 1958” Community center from the Rhodope
mountain village of Bukovo received the prize in “Individual performers, authentic folklore” category.
Children’s folklore dance ensemble “Croatia” won the prize in the “Folklore mixed ensembles, children age
group”. Their leaders are Marija Šiinković and Goran Knežević. Croatian group won gifts from the organizers as
well.
Beside all the prizes that the groups received, all the participants received points for the rankings in the World
ranking list of folklore - an initiative of the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF. President of the European
Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF officially closed the XV International Folklore Festival “Euro Folk
- Black Sea” with the words: “There are winners in this competition but there are no defeated because we all have
the aim to preserve the wisdom, collected for thousands of years by our ancestors and we pass it on to the next
generations...”. The festivals ended with Bulgarian round-dance with all the guests and foreign participants.
Musical feast was attended by about 50 folklore groups and individual performers, who presented folklore
diversity of Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine. Southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast was the center of folklore art for
15th consecutive year and united about 500 folklore performers at one stage. Conerts within the contest were
broadcasted live online on “EuroFolkTV” Internet television - main media partner of the festivals and also at the
Facebook pages of EAFF, Eurofolk TV and Event Stream.
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9

Grand Prix of the
Asian Championship of Folklore
“Asia Folk 2019”
was awarded to
Music ensemble from
Dornod Province
(Mongolia)
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First Asian Championship of Folklore “Asia Folk 2019” was held in the period 12-17 June, 2019. Large folklore
forum was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Mongolia - Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, who thanked all
organizers and especially the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF and the European Association of
Folklore Festivals - EAFF - for the opportunity of the Asian Folklore Championship “Asia Folk 2019” to be held
for the first time in the capital of Mongolia (Ulan Bator).
The Gala concert, named “Arts and Culture - The Immunity of the Nations” was held on the main square
“Sükhbaatar Square” in front of the building of the National Assembly. In celebration of the opening of the large
forum, viewers had the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent performance of part of the “Genghis Khan” Opera
and to see some of the most popular Mongolian artists.
The president of the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF and the European Association of Folklore
Festivals - EAFF, Mr Kaloyan Nikolov was honorable guest of all the events accompanying the Championship.
Along with the gala concert, during the Championship, the Asian Craft Fair and exhibition, the Asian Food
Festival and the master class for popularizing the Mongolian culture and heritage took place. Crafts, entries on
the World Representative List of Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage were presented.
All the participants had the opportunity to enjoy the traditional festival “Mini Naadam” which in Mongolia has
a centuries-old tradition dating from the age of the great khanes and their dynasties. Fights, archery, and horse
racing - abilities that Genghis Khan believed to be vital to every Mongol warrior, were part of the fascinating
program of the event.
Viewers saw two-camel camels, sledding with yaks, various traditional games, crafts and food. The festival
participants were hosted at Mongol Nomadic. The traditional “Mini Naadam” Festival is part of the Representative
List of Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
The final concert and the ceremony for the official awarding ceremony of Asian Folklore Championship
“Asia Folk 2019” took place in the Palace of Culture, Mongolia. The Music Ensemble “Tuurgatan” from Dornod
Province, Mongolia won the Grand Prix and the gold medal of the Championship “Asia Folk 2019”. The Folklore
arts group “Cheong Choong” from South Korea (Seoul) won the second place and silver medal of the Championship.
Ensemble “Ateha”, from the autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China - Inner Mongolia, won
the third place and the bronze medal from the competition program. Mongol orchestra “Altay” won first place in
the “National Arts” category. The overall winner won the cash prize of 4,000 Euro and for the second and third
places, the groups received 2,000 and 1,000 Euro.
Artists from Malaysia, China, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Russia and Kazakhstan
took part in the folklore competition. The first Asian Championship of Folklore is organized under the aegis of
the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF, European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF, Culture
and Arts Authority, the Government Implementing Agency of Mongolia, ArtLar Culture NGO, World Folklore
Academy, together with The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia and the Ministry of
the Environment and Tourism. The event is also organized with the support of UNESCO - Mongolia.
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300 performers took part in the
OHRID MUSIC FESTIVAL
In the period June 20-24, 2019, the XI International Folklore Dance and Music Festival “OHRID MUSIC
FESTIVAL” was held. The forum was attended by more than 300 performers from different countries.
Director of the festival Zoran Strezovski welcomed the participants and wished them successful performances
on Macedonian stage.
The festival concert was held on June 19 in the central square where the groups presented their culture
and traditions through music, dances and songs. After their performances, the groups received certificates and
gifts from the organizer.
During the festival days, the groups had an organized boat trip, they visited the Orthodox Monastery of St.
Naum and the sights of Ohrid.
Many dances and songs at the International Festival of
Folklore, Choral and Contemporary Art “Budva Riviera”
The International Festival of Folklore, Chorus and
Contemporary Art “Budva Riviera” was held from 1
to 5 July 2019. The event is organized in the town of
Budva on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro.More than
340 artists from North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland,
Ukraine and Turkey participated in the folklore
forum.
The concert program was held on July 3 at the
Town square in Budva’s Old Town, where the groups
had the opportunity to show their dances and songs
and thus present the national heritage of their countries.
At the end of the festival all groups received certificates
and gifts provided by the organizers.
Milenko Anderski - director of the festival said: “All participants were very pleased with the organization and
accommodation. Many of them created friendships and wonderful memories. The festival evening presented the
colorfulness of folklore in all its forms.”
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EAFF works with ICHCAP in the aim of
Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage
The International Information and Networking Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region
(ICHCAP) - Republic of Korea is one of the seven centers in Category 2 under the auspices of UNESCO,
the activity of which is directed entirely in the sphere of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. European Association
of Folklore Festivals - EAFF is accredited organization with consultative relations to UNESCO. EAFF works in
cooperation with ICHCAP. The main purpose of the cooperation is the preservation and spreading of intangible
cultural heritage.
In 2016, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization accredited the EAFF to provide advisory
services to the Intergovernmental Committee within the framework
of the 2003 Convention of UNESCO on the Safeguarding
of Intangible Cultural Heritage. President of the European Association
of Folklore Festivals - Kaloyan Nikolov is member of the
Steering committee of the Regional Center for Preservation of
Intangible Cultural Heritage in Southeast Europe - Category 2 -
under the aegis of UNESCO. The Association is also a member
of the General Assembly as an NGO.
The specific functions of ICHCAP are: the development of an information system, support for the identification
and documentation of ICH, the storage and digitization of archival materials, and support for the development of
metadata standards.
The International Information and Networking Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region
is working to spread the accumulated data on ICH in information and promotional materials and to promote
the protection of intellectual property rights of practitioners and creators of ICH. The object of the activity of the
Center of Category 2 is to build networks between affected communities, groups and individuals to strengthen
the transmission and dissemination of ICH, organizing public events and meetings at regional and international
level, strengthening international and regional networks for exchange of information and knowledge regarding
the protection of ICH. The activities and programs of the Center are implemented in accordance with the 2003
Convention, and in particular its objectives and definitions (Article 1 and 2).
Countires-members of ICHCAP are: Brunei Darussalam, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia,
Maldives, Micronesia (Nepal), Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore,
Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tonga, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.
On the website of the European Association of Folklore Festivals, you can find references to multimedia materials
and electronic versions of many ICHCAP publications, to the ICHCAP online community for communication
on various networks for preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Center’s website, which provides
readers with a convenient way for access to the Asia-Pacific information related to the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
360 performers took part in the
International Festival “Festival days in Paralia”
International Festival “Festival days in Paralia” was held in the period June 14-18 in the popular Greek resort
- Paralia.
Groups from Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Serbia, Russia, Montenegro, Belarus, Slovakia and Poland took
part in the folklore festival. Total number of participants were about 360 musicians, singers and dancers.
Groups participated in the festival shared that they are pleased by the organization of the program and accommodation.
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Absolute European Champion of Folklore in
2019 is the Dance group “Balgarche” at
“Trud i postoyanstvo 1901” Community center (Bulgaria)
Third age group of Dance group “Balgarche” at the “Trud i postoyanstvo 1901” Community center became the
Absolute European Champion in 2019 from the XI European Championship of Folklore “Euro folk”. Winner are
from Chelopech village, Bulgaria. Artistic director of the group is Stanislav Stoykov, who expressed his gratitude to
the organizers, to the jury and to all that support and appreciate the efforts of the dancers.
The ensemble received Golden medal of the Championship, Grand Prix Golden “Orpheus” as well as money
prize in amount if 1000 Euro, provided by the organizers.
Participants were assessed by the professional jury: Maestro Georgi Yankov - musical expert, Valentin Halvadzhiev
- choreographer and Mariana Nutsova - ethnologist and program director of Eurofolk TV.
The jury evaluated the groups according to the complexity and quality of performances, appearance and stage
presence of the groups.
Folklore forum was held in the period June 27th - July 7th, divided in 4 concerts in three settlements on the
Bulgarian Black Sea coast - Nessebar, Pomorie and Sveti Vlas. Special guests of the official awarding ceremony
and the closing ceremony of the XI European Championship of Folklore “Euro folk” were Mr Sarvarbek Fozilyonov
and Mr Jasurbek Shermuhammedov - representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Uzbekistan; Mrs
Svetlana Spiridovich and Mr Yuriy Spiridovich from “XXI century” Association, who are also the main organizers
of the World Cup of Folklore in Ukraine and the National Championship of Folklore “EUROFOLK”, held annually
in town Chernivtsi, Ukraine under the aegis of EAFF; Valko Lyubenov - director, choreographer, pedagogue, Doctor
Honoris Causa of Folk Music and Dance by Ansted University UK, Deputy chairman of 6 Commission at the
International organization of folklore art IOV World – UNESCO.
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Second place in the competition, Silver
“Orpheus”, Silver medal and the title Absolute
European Vice-Champion of Folklore in 2019
were awarded to Ensemble for songs and
dances at the Culture Department of Tashkent
Municipality - Uzbekistan. Artistic director of
the ensemble is Hamroz Dekhkanov.
Third place, Bronze “Orpheus” and Bronze
medal were awarded to Folklore dance ensemble
“Vizerunki” from Poltava, Ukraine.
Their artistic leader is Valeriy Shulika.
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IX International Folklore Festival
“Ethno Fest Belgrade” created folklore mood
IX International Folklore Festival “Ethno Fest Belgrade” was held between 4 and 7 July 2019. Seven folk
groups from India, Bulgaria and Serbia, with over 200 performers, presented a rich music and dance program.
The organizers awarded the artistic director of each formation with diploma for successful participation and a gift
to remind the folklore admirers about the music festival.
The directors of the festival - Sasha Bajic and Milo Radomann, provided chronological information on the accompanying
events that took place during the forum: “On July 4, the participants were welcomed, after which a
meeting of the group leaders took place. Guests had free time to see the sights of the Serbian capital. The next
day a girl and a boy from each group, dressed in folk costumes, together with the artistic directors of the ensembles,
visited the Municipality. On the 5th of July, the concert program was launched at the Cultural Center “Rakovitsa”.
Each formation presented part of its repertoire in a 15-minute program. The festival evening continued with
a Serbian party, which involved 100 participants. On July 6th, all performers enjoyed the concert of the Serbian
National Folk Ensemble “Kolo”, which took place at the “Tashmajdan Stadium” in Belgrade.”
The organizers added, that the groups had left the Serbian capital with the hope that next year they would
perform successfully again at “Ethno Fest Belgrade”.
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Second successful edition of
the International Festival in Cappadocia
II International Festival in Cappadocia successfully took
place from 12 to 16 July and gathered over 500 artists from
Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia and Turkey.
During the festival evenings the ensembles presented
their traditional dances and songs to the local people and the
guests of the area. During their stay in Cappadocia, the artists
visited the historic towns Nevsehir and Goreme, getting to
know their cultural heritage. The participants in the event also
flew with a balloon, enjoying the beautiful landscape from the
sky heights.
The festival was held in cooperation
with the municipalities of the towns in
the region. At a reception in the Municipality
of Goreme, the mayor of the town
welcomed the leaders of the groups
and handed them presents to remind
them of their wonderful stay in Turkey.
All the artists expressed their gratitude
regarding the accommodation and
organization of the International Festival
and wished to present their folklore
in the historic district of Central Anatolia
again next year.

More than 400 participants from different cou tries presented their
folklore art in the XI International Folklore Festival “OHRID FEST”
XI International Folklore Festival OHRID FEST was held in the period July 5-9, 2019 in the most popular
Macedonian resort. Director of the festival Zoran Strezovski informed that the celebration was attended by 400
performers from 11 groups from different countries. He added Welcome party with the leaders of the groups was
organized on 5th of July. On 6th and 7th of July, all the participants took part in the parade and then in the Opening
Ceremony of the festival and also on the second festival evening in the main square of Ohrid. Groups presented
their traditional songs and dances.
After their performances in front of Macedonian audience, all the leaders of groups were awarded with diplomas
for participation and gifts provided by the organizers.
At the end of the evening, all participants and managers danced to the traditional Macedonian song Makedonsko
devojce.
On July 8th, participants enjoyed a party. In their spare time, groups explored the sights of old Ohrid - town
registered in the UNESCO’s list. Performers and their leaders sailed by boat in the
Ohrid Lake and enjoyed the beauty of the monastery Sveti Naum.
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8 ensembles connected their traditions with Hungary
More than 300 performers from 8 ensembles took part in the first International Folk Dance and Music Festival
“BUDAPEST FESTIVAL DAYS”, which took place from 18 to 22 July 2019. Upon arrival, the leaders and participants
of the groups coming from Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland and Turkey met with the organizers of the festival, where
they discussed the program of the event and received answers to questions related to its course.
The participants had the opportunity to use their free time, walking around the sights of Budapest - they enjoyed
the beauty of Hill Castle, The Parliament of Hungary, the Citadel and the Basilica of St. Stephen. The performers
did not miss to sail by boat on the Danube. The musicians, singers and dancers also visited the cities of
Visegrad, Szentendre and Esztergom.
The groups made their final rehearsal before the festival night at the Lurdy Confrence and Event Hall, located
in Budapest.
At the end of the musical feast all ensembles were awarded with diplomas and souvenirs provided by the
organizers.
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The International festival “Happy Planet” in Armenia
gathered more than 1000 performers from 10 countries
The International festival “Happy planet” gathered more than 1000
participants from 10 countries in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia between 14 - 20
July 2019. The Folklore forum had a competitive nature and at its final,
there were only 3 winners. The choir “SILVICOLA” from Latvia won first
place in the category “Vocal Performances”. Ensemble “NOSTALGIA”
from Armenia is the winner in category “Dances – participants up to 16
years”, and the performers from “TEIKSMINA” from Latvia got the award
in the dance category for participants over 16 years. The festival was
held with remarkable success, great mood, songs and interesting choreographies.
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Groups from 6 countries presented their folklore at “Ohrid Fest”
More than 220 participants
from eight groups performed on
the stage of the International
folklore festival “Ohrid Fest”. The
musical event was held in the period
of July 27 - 31 and provided
a platform for performances of
groups from North Macedonia,
Turkey, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina and Estonia.
As part of the both concert
evenings, the groups presented a
variety of their cultures, traditions
and customs, for which they were
encouraged by certificates and
souvenirs, provided by the organizers.
After the festival concert, a celebration
meeting was held where
participants had the opportunity
to meet each other and establish
new friendships.
During the festival days, the
groups visited many historical and religious places and sailed with a boat on.
20

Grand Prix
winners of the
X International Grand Festival
V International Contest
“Grand Festival” welcomed 1250
participants from 15 countries
who performed about 200 performances
at the stage in the
center of Pesaro, Italy.
Event was held in the period
June 23 - 29, 2019 and provided
stage for performances of
groups from Italy, Belarus, Russia,
Ukraine, Lithuania, Israel,
Estonia, Uzbekistan and others.
The Grand Prix in “Vocal
performances” category was
awarded to Nazdeya Paloyka
from Belarus and he Gran Prix in
“Choreography” category was
awarded to Exemplary choreography
group “Angels” from Republic
of Buryatia (Russia).
All the participants received
diplomas and special gift from
the organizers - branded T-
shirts.
21

The International Festival “Caucasus 2019” brought
together 2500 performers at the Georgian stage
International Festival “Caucasus 2019”, organized by the
Georgian Union of Choreographers, was opened on July 2 in
the City of Poti.
The Festival was traditionally highly successful and up to
2500 participants, including 4 international groups, participated
in the Festival concerts.
2500 performers from Georgian folk groups and ensembles
from Lithuania, Ukraine, Croatia and Russia took part in the
large-scale event. They presented various folklore programs
and received applause from the audience.
In the framework of the music festival, the representatives of foreign ensembles met the mayor of Poti municipality
- Mr. Gocha Kurdgelia, with whom they exchanged symbolic presents.
The second Festival concert was held on July 4 at the Batumi Arts Centre, during which were awarded Georgian
choreographic ensembles. On July 7, the concert was held at the Open Air Concert Hall in Kobuleti and the
closing concert was held on July 8 at the Batumi Summer Theatre. Each of the participant groups received special
diplomas and honorable prizes.
In framework of the Festival foreign guests visited different historical and natural sights of Georgia.
The first edition of the Festival was held back in 2012.
The mission of the Festival is the development of folklore arts,
popularization of the world folklore culture, exchange of experiences
between participants, deepening of qualification of artists and improvement
of qualification of choreographers.

The first edition of the International
Folklore Dance and Music Festival
“DANCING IN PRAGUE” was held successfully
The first edition of the International Folklore
Dance and Music Festival “DANCING IN
PRAGUE” was held in the period August 5-
8, 2019 in the “Domovina” Cultural center in
Prague (Czech Republic).
The folklore forum was attended by more
than 200 performers who presented folklore
and traditions of Turkey, Poland, Croatia and
Romania. The organizers had the honor to
welcome also the representatives of the Embassies
of Croatia and Turkey.
The festival concert where the groups presented
the richness of their culture was held
on August 6th. At the end of the concert, an
awarding ceremony was held and the groups
received diplomas and gifts. Participants established
international friendships and exchanged
gifts and souvenirs.
During their stay in Prague, participants
had the opportunity to attend the optional programs,
so that they visited Prague city and
Karlovy Vary.
23

EAFF - European Association of Folklore Festivals
47 “Nikola Gabrovski” Str.
P.О. Box 27 A
5002 Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria
EU - European Union
E-mail: office@eaff.eu
Tel.: +359 (62) 62 15 41
Tel.: +359 (62) 62 34 64
UPCOMING FESTIVALS:
www.eaff.eu
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6 “Nikola Y. Vaptsarov” Blvd.
1407 Lozenets, Sofia, Bulgaria
The information in Review of EAFF has been taken from the News section of the official website of EAFF. It is prepared by Mihaela
Georgieva, translated by Yoanna Stoilova and Ivangelina Angelova, designed by Tsvetomila Miteva
Printed by: Zoom Center - www.zoom-bg.com