PETROVSKA KITKA FESTIVAL

Folk music and dance competition in Preslav

Last Saturday of June

Since 1997, the municipality of Veliki Preslav and its chitalishte “Razvitie 1874” – cultural center- put the ”Petrovska Kitka” festival together to encourage the intergenerational bond between folk amateur dance and music. This festival enables also the preservation, development, and popularise the local Bulgarian folk and raises awareness among the community about the cultural activities of chitalishte.

PRESENTATION​

Traditionally, “Petrovska Kitka” unfolds outdoors in the middle of a pine forest, near an archeological site. In medieval times, Veliki Preslav was the second capital of the First Bulgarian kingdom from 893 to 971. This festival takes place the day before the celebration of the apostles Peter and Paul in reference to King Petar who participated in the great Preslav.

At its launch, the festival brought together only traditional groups from the region and has gradually admitted candidates from northeastern Bulgaria. For the 23rd edition, the festival wants to open up internationally by welcoming foreign participants.

Since 2017, the festival has a competitive by offering interpreters 3 categories:

– individual singing

– collective singing

– dance

These disciplines are divided into two age groups:

– under 18 years old

– over 18 years old

The 22nd edition brought together over 670 performers in more than 80 dance and singing groups. The jury was chaired by the folk singer and folk teacher Dafinka Damianova, accompanied by her colleagues Lyubcho Vassilev – ensemble choreographer “Mizia” and Julia Tsankova – folklorist.

In 2019, the European volunteers of Open Space Foundation took part in the festival. Alessio and Maria (Italy), Nana and Sandro (Georgia), Patricia (Venezuela) and Vladimir, Illona, …(Spain) Tangra association.