FIRE MAN
Medieval Ritual – Performance with fire
Interview with Ivan Stiliyanov Dimitrov
- What’s your name?
My name is Ivan Stiliyanov Dimitrov (Иван Стилиянов Димитров).
- Where are you from?
I am from Tyrgovishte, Bulgaria.
- Are you a professional or not?
Yes, I am.
- Are you part of a troop?
Yes, I am part of Vylkashin (Вълкашин).
- How did you come to practice this?
I saw an event of a medieval group in my city and I knew this was the thing I want to do.
- Where and how did you learn this art?
I learn it from different masters and troops. We are training for years. I am training for 6-7 years and our leader for more than 15 in different fencing and bow shooting masters and groups. There is no school for learning this performance.
- Do you often participate in medieval festivals?
Yes, I go on almost all of them in my country
- Outside of medieval festivals, in what setting do you perform?
We do events with lyceums, schools and we train others
- What does your show consist of?
Medieval sword, whip, ax and spear fighting, bow shooting, and fire shows
- Where do you get your inspiration from?
The fact that I can teach and show others and especially kids what their ancestors look like and from the writings about our ancestors
- What did you think of this medieval festival in Preslav?
I think it is a great thing. The best way to show history to everyone and revive the cultural development
- Do you know Preslav and his story?
Yes, I know about Veliki Preslav and its history.
