For the 9^th time this year, Yagodovo village will play host to the National Folk Dance Festival “Horo Dancing on St. Peter’s Day”, which brings together thousands of performers and fans of Bulgarian folklore. The festival is organized by the Buklitsa dance club, with artistic leader Martin Mochkov, choreographer of the Severnyashki (northern) Ensemble, Pleven, a member of the Trakia ensemble for many years, as well as of Neshka Robeva’s dance company, where he has been involved in the choreography of the shows “Two worlds” and “Destiny”.

How did the idea of the “Horo Dancing on St. Peter’s Day” festival come about? Martin Mochkov:“The idea came from the groups learning to sing and dance to Bulgarian folk music. That is what prompted me to launch the festival in the village of Yagodovo, so as to bring all of these people in one place to have fun together, and demonstrate what they have learnt through the years. The idea is for the festival to evolve in time, and for us to keep up the tradition.”

The organizers have set themselves the goal of preserving and popularizing Bulgarian folklore. That is the reason why there is no age limit, and anyone wishing to can take part in the first stage. The festival is open to all groups learning Bulgarian folk dancing and amateur ensembles.

“The festival takes place in two stages, the first stage being non-competitive,” says Martin Mochkov. “It is open to groups learning to dance Bulgarian horos at clubs – such clubs have been mushrooming all over the country. They have to present two horo dances of their own choice from different ethnographic regions. The second stage is competitive and is for amateur ensembles. They have to present a costume dance created for the stage. The participants in this stage will be judged by a professional jury with members – the lecturers from the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv Prof. Dr. Daniela Jeneva, who is chief artistic director of the Trakia ensemble, Dr. Blagovesta Kalcheva and Dr. Dimo Enev, ballet-master of Trakia ensemble. They are all prominent names in Bulgarian folklore. Master of ceremonies, actor Vasil Karamanliev, has been helping everyone have loads of fun through all of these years. The festival also includes games with prizes. The event takes place under the patronage of Plamen Spasov, mayor of Rhodopes municipality, who provides the financing, and the mayor of Yagodovo Dimitar Dishev, who provides the stage.”

How will the “Horo Dancing on St. Peter’s Day” festival unfold? Martin Mochkov:

“The fun starts with the village fete on 29 June, the Day of St. Peter and Paul or Petrovden, with a sacrificial feast. For three days, the people from Yagodovo village and our guests go to the stadium, where different orchestras perform every night. This year they are “Trakiisko nastroenie” (The mood of Thrace), “Kalofer”, “Kotsi Band”. The festivities will kick off with the children from the Iskra (Spark) – 1927 chitalishte (community culture club). The “Horo dancing on St. Peter’s Day” festival starts on Saturday, and on Sunday we shall have the “Secrets of granny’s coffers” fest in which mostly choir singers from “chitalishta” take part. They present their songs, but also authentic national costumes. The other element that is typical of the festival in Yagodovo is the festive food prepared in each home – baked rice, sauerkraut and chicken.”

As to the future of this initiative, Mr. Mochkov says: “It must evolve. I have an idea of bringing together groups from different parts of the country at the next, jubilee edition of the festival, to sing their songs. So there can be more folklore, continuity among performers, ensembles, guests.”

English version: Milena Daynova