Choir for Macedonian songs at the "Parashkev Tsvetkov 2003" Community centre from Plevem (Bulgaria) with artistic directors Yordan Lazarov and Angel Shopov; Dance group "Shopluka" at Bulgarian folklore dances School "Ritam 7/8" from Varna (Bulgaria) with artistic leader Margarita Kindova and Group "Codrenii" at House of culture from Calarasi (Moldova) with artistic director Igor Philipchuk are the first three groups that already won the Golden "Orpheus" nomination.

This high distinction gives them the opportunity to compete for the Grand Prix of the championship. The winner will receive also the title Absolute Champion of Folklore as well as the cash prize of 1000 Euro, provided by the organizers.

Both artistic directors of the Choir for Macedonian songs received the title "Maestro". The special diplomas will be sent to the Mayor of the Municipality to be awarded solemnly.

The tenth jubilee edition of folklore championship was officially opened on the Amphitheatre stage in Nessebar (Bulgaria) - an ancient city listed as an UNESCO's world heritage site. The ceremony was attended by Kremena Stoyanova - chief expert of Culture Department of Municipality of Nessebar and Kaloyan Nikolov - president of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF.

Part of the congratulatory address read by Kremena Styanova on behalf of the Mayor of Nessebar: "The Municipality of Nessebar has been collaborating with the Association for a decade. This is enough time to see the results of an activity. And all of you are the proof that if something is made with a soul and it is developing and upgrading, so it deserves recognition and appreciation. I express my respect to the work of all of the people who are involved with the organization and conduction of the X European Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk". May the participants from Bulgaria and abroad present worthy the richness of folklore. I wish the organizers to continue creating conditions for peaceful competition and connection between the participants with the same dedication and excitement."

Kaloyan Nikolov - president of EAFF announced the musical forum as officially opened and greeted all the participants, guests, audience and viewers who watched the concert, broadcasted online by the official media partner of the Championship - internet television Eurofolk TV - tv.eurofolk.com

The first championship days were attended by more than 500 participants - singers, musicians and dancers. Genre variety of national folklore of Bulgaria and Moldova was presented on the both scenes - in Nessebar and Pomorie.

20 groups and individual performers were awarded by the jury with medals and also Diplomas for contribution in the preservation of European folklore arts; Laureate and Discovery Diplomas; Maestro titles; Diplomas for continuity between the generations on the name of the founder of Stara planina Fest "Balkan Folk" and Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" - Iliyan D. Nikolov; Champion and Vicechampion diplomas and titles.

The program of the X European Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk" 2018 continues on 5th, 6th and 7th of July on the stages of "Svetlina 1939" Community centre in Pomorie and Arena Theatre in Sveti Vlas. Detailed program you can check HERE.