Veliko Tarnovo, July 27: Performers from all over the world have been entertaining crowds at the sixth international folklore festival in Bulgaria. The colourful festival goes on for seven days in the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo.
Eleven groups from Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, India, Italy, Columbia, Portugal, Russia, United States, Croatia and Scotland are taking part.
The aim of the event is to develop cultural exchange between the nations as well as popularising Bulgaria's folklore abroad.
Over 180 concerts have been held over the past five years in 28 towns and 20 villages both in the region and throughout the country.
This year over 35 concerts will be held in Veliko Tarnovo and nearby cities in which participants have the opportunity to show their countries cultural heritage.
A folklore school for foreigners has been organised where classes include instructions in Bulgarian national dances and playing traditional musical instruments. Visits to local cultural and historic sites in the region are included in the package. The festival is said to be one of the biggest international folklore forums in the Balkans. It is a huge national event with world fame and a unique atmosphere.
Aswan in Egypt is distinguished from other areas of the country by its traditional customs and manners. The Aswan troupe was established in 1975 to protect and reflect this great heritage.
India was represented by the Punjab cultural promotion council, a registered dance company cum organization, which has performed in Lithuania, Sweden, Thailand, China and the United Arab Emirates.
The primary goal of the organization is to work towards strengthening friendship between countries and to promote international understanding particularly in the field of folk art.
From the United States came "Komenka", set up in 1979 to portray international folk cultures through dance and music.
The 30-member ensemble is a non-profit group with members from throughout the southern United States.
The ensemble of Kud "Varteks" Varazdin from Croatia was founded in 1946 lined to the big textile company of the same name.
The group gathers many young enthusiastic people together - workers and students - who spend their free time studying and performing Croatian folklore.
From Scotland came the Alloa Colliery Pipe Band, which was formed in the 1950's under the auspices of the National Union of Mineworkers.
The Union provided the funding of one (old) penny (sterling) a week from each member.
At one time the band was supported by the workforce of six coalmines from the local area...but today there are no coalmines left.
The band continues to uphold its original concept, which was to offer help and support to the local community.
They continue to offer free musical tuition on the pipes and drums.
The band is in great demand for tourist and corporate events and has played at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles. Bureau Report