One might say that compared with the other ensembles invited to this year’s edition of the FESTIVAL OF THE CHILDREN OF MOUNTAINS, the Bulgarian PLETENITSA is still a child. The ensemble, which was founded by choreographer Iliyan Iliev, and is currently run by Rumen Todorov, is only 6 years old, but it can already boast numerous awards received at performances in Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
However, when it comes to the country that PLETENITSA comes from, it is a completely different story. Compared with the countries represented at this year's Festival, Bulgaria is a grandfather, or rather a grandmother. Its history goes back to 864, when on the eve of Whitsun, 25 May, the Greek clergy christened the then ruler of Bulgaria, Khan Boris-Mihail. However, it is generally accepted that the country was founded as early as 681 by Asparuh, the so-called Proto-Bulgarian khan.
Hence, more than 1300 years of tradition pose a great challenge to Bulgarian ensembles that - like PLETENITSA - wish to become a peculiar time capsule holding native music, dances and customs. Since the very beginning the ensemble, which comes from the town of Pleven, has been trying to present folklore from all over Bulgaria, to the accompaniment of such instruments as kaval (a type of flute), bagpipes, rebec (a bowed instrument), tambura (a plucked instrument) and a drum.
This year, thanks to the programme entitled “Touches of Bulgarian folklore,” the FESTIVAL audience will have a chance to become acquainted with the folk character of these lands.
Will we be able to notice the differences between the songs and dances from PLETENITSA’s native Severnyashka (northern Bulgaria), and the Šopluk region (until now probably associated more with the shopska salad), or the Thracian region? We will see!
Hence, more than 1300 years of tradition pose a great challenge to Bulgarian ensembles that - like PLETENITSA - wish to become a peculiar time capsule holding native music, dances and customs. Since the very beginning the ensemble, which comes from the town of Pleven, has been trying to present folklore from all over Bulgaria, to the accompaniment of such instruments as kaval (a type of flute), bagpipes, rebec (a bowed instrument), tambura (a plucked instrument) and a drum.
This year, thanks to the programme entitled “Touches of Bulgarian folklore,” the FESTIVAL audience will have a chance to become acquainted with the folk character of these lands.
Will we be able to notice the differences between the songs and dances from PLETENITSA’s native Severnyashka (northern Bulgaria), and the Šopluk region (until now probably associated more with the shopska salad), or the Thracian region? We will see!