The second edition of Strandzha Gaidunitsa* bagpipe competition is to be held on 7 October in Kosti village, Tsarevo municipality. Kosti is one of the few places where nestinari dancing on live embers survived up until the mid-20th century, when the tradition was dropped. Now, the heirs to the one-time nestinari (fire-dancers) have gradually been breathing life back into this practice.
One of the musical instruments used during this ritual are the bagpipes. Bagpipe players from all over the country and abroad will take part in this year’s bagpipe playing competition.
“With this competition we aim to popularize the instrumental music of the region of Strandzha, and to promote love of the art of bagpipe playing. We are expecting participants from Greece and Serbia as well,” says Georgi Iliev, chair of the Saints Constantine and Helena Thracian culture club in Tsarevo. The club is organizer of the colourful festival, with the support of the National Culture Fund, Tsarevo municipality, the mayor’s office in Kosti, as well as many sponsors.
* Gaidunitsa is the wooden pipe, an essential element of the bagpipe which produces the tones. It is the shorter pipe of the two, the longer pipe is called ruchilo and produces the keynote.
Albena Bezovska
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos courtesy of the organizers
An ensemble of two or more harps is nothing new to the Bulgarian stage. What is new, though, is to be able to hear a harp octet – definitely a novelty for the country. We owe the idea, the programme selection and the organization of the upcoming..
Two singers — Boyana Karpatova and Boris Hristov — have come together for a duet song titled "Dokato Te Ima" (As Long As You Exist). Boyana wrote the music and the lyrics of the piece. The arrangement is by Artur Nadosyan. Here’s what the performers..
To celebrate his 70th birthday, world-famous Bulgarian tenor Boyko Zvetanov will perform in a special concert on 18 October at the Central Military Club in Sofia. Joining him on this milestone occasion will be the Prima Visione Mandolin Orchestra,..
An ensemble of two or more harps is nothing new to the Bulgarian stage. What is new, though, is to be able to hear a harp octet – definitely a novelty..
Two singers — Boyana Karpatova and Boris Hristov — have come together for a duet song titled "Dokato Te Ima" (As Long As You Exist). Boyana wrote the..
+359 2 9336 661