Director: Mrs. Mariana Nutsova The forum will be held in compliance with all precautionary measures in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health. Location: Veliko Tarnovo The festival has an excellent quality certificate, issued by European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF. Organizers: Euro Folk Academy, Municipality Veliko Tarnovo, Event Vacation LIVE TV broadcast on the Internet of all concerts Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2023" is held within the scope of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" – The World is television. Musical Feаsts are held in different European cities and countries during the whole year under the aegis of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF. Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" comprise forthy five musical festivals. Main event of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is No 1 Festival in Europe for the traditional folklore arts – Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk" in Bulgaria. Every year from 9 000 to 15 000 musicians, singers and dancers take part in it. Simultaneously with Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk" in Veliko Tarnovo is held the National Championship of Folklore Arts "Euro Folk". The participants in Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk" can apply for participation in the National Championship of Folklore Arts "Euro Folk". The awards of the National Championship of Folklore Arts "Euro Folk" are specified in the regulation of the Championship. Typical feature of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is that all of the performances are recorded with professional audio and television technics and the best of them are repeatedly broadcasted by more than 20 cable televisions in Bulgaria, by the satelite televisions "T.TV.I.", "Rodina TV" and "Heros TV", as well as by the World Internet Television "EuroFolkTV" at tv.eurofolk.com. All this activities realize the main purpose of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" – The world is television - to popularize the traditional folk arts through the enormous possibilities of mass media. Veliko Tarnovo: Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the city is situated on the three hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. On Tsarevets are the palaces of the Bulgarian Еmperors and the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa is known for its many churches and as the former main residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages, the city was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School, painting of the Tarnovo Artistic School and literature. Veliko Tarnovo is an important administrative, economic, educational, and cultural centre of Bulgaria. Participants in the festival: Participants are ensembles from Russia, Indonesia, India, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Slovenia, Montenegro, Italy, Sweden, Moldova, Armenia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary... Preliminary Program: 12th May 2023 - Concert program - 14:00 - 22:00 13th May 2023 - Concert program - 14:00 - 22:00 14th May 2023 - Concert program - 14:00 - 22:00 The preliminary program of XXVI StaraIPlanina Fest "Balkan Folk 2023" - HERE The preliminary program of XXV StaraIPlanina Fest "Balkan Folk 2022" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2022 The preliminary program of XXIV StaraIPlanina Fest "Balkan Folk 2021" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2021 The preliminary program of XXIII StaraIPlanina Fest "Balkan Folk 2019" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2019 The preliminary program of XXII StaraIPlanina Fest "Balkan Folk 2018" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2018 The preliminary program of XXI StaraIPlanina Fest "Balkan Folk 2017" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2017 The preliminary program of XX Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2016" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2016 You can see the program of XIX Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2015" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2015 You can see the program of XVIII Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2014" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2014 You can see the program of XVII Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2013" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2013 You can see the program of XVI Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2012" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2012 You can see the program of XV Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2011" - HERE OFFICIAL FILM FOR 2011 Awards: Participants obtain object awards, deeds and honored signs, diplomas for laureates, discoveries, for a sufficient contribution at preserving and popularizing of the traditional folklore arts, a diploma for participation. Participation fee: (for participants and accompanying persons) Period 1: 12 - 15 May - 3 HB (3 nights on Half Board) Economy 2*/3* - 3 HB - 117 Euro Standard 3* - 3 HB - 144 Euro Period 2: 11 - 15 May - 4 HB (4 nights on Half Board) Economy 2*/3* - 4 HB - 156 Euro Standard 3* - 4 HB - 192 Euro At every 25 participants one is welcome to join in for free /25+1/. (paying goes in several month payments till departure time) Accommodation: Accomodation is in 1/3 and 1/4 rooms. Supplement for 1/2 room is 7 Euro per person per night. Supplement for 1/1 room is 21 Euro per person per night. The participation fee includes: Accommodation in 1/3 and 1/4 rooms, half-board (breakfast and dinner), (supplement for lunch 8-12 Euro) Organization expenses Free place on every 25-th member /25 +1/ Degrees* Invitation letter** The participation fee does not include: Additional day in some of the hotels: it costs 39/45 Euro per person Additional payment for Luxory Hotel 4**** - Standart + 12 Euro per day per person Facultative tours - tour of Veliko Tarnovo (Visit to "Tsarevets" Fortress - Tsars Castle and Ethnological Museum), Sofia, Kazanlak, Gabrovo (Ethnografic complex "Etara"), Shipka, Russe, Bucharest Transport, parking, insurance... Transport from airports /Sofia - 235 km., Burgas - 220 km., Varna - 210 km., Bucharest - 200 km., Istanbul - 490 km.; railway - Gorna Oryahovitsa - 11 km./ General Conditions: Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment. Next stage payment 20% for booking of accomodation. Rest of payment 70% - 15 days before the beginning of the festival or upon arrival with permission of organizers. The sender covers all bank fees. All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation. Info tour: "Sound and lights" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBml0NGJt1c The Sound and Light Show is a unique attraction in Europe. Shows of its kind can only be seen in few other countries in the world. Through of music and spectacular illumination, this programme recreates the history of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 – 1393), the fall under the Turkish and the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. The music was composed especially for the show, which was first displayed in 1985 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Asen and Peter’s uprising. The best place to watch the show is Tsar Ivan Asen square located right in front of Tsarevets. Museum of "Wax" figures in Veliko Tarnovo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-LyaNSWfdc Top Things See & Do in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcw_z3rBo5w Spirit of Veliko Tarnovo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-zvUh_Hbis * Certificates of participation will be given. ** Invitation letter will be provided if needed. *** Optional Tours - excursions (Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia, Kazanlak, Gabrovo, Shipka, Rouse, Buharest). Seasonal prices vary according to the number of participants. **** The final program of the festival could be changed by the organizers if needed.