Today marks 11 years since the passing out of Mr. Iliyan Nikolov, the president of Euro Folk Academy, founder and chairman of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF and the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF.

The prominent cultural figure has devoted a large part of his life to the preservation and the spread of folklore music values and traditions. One of the biggest events initiated and created by him is the Festival for traditional folklore arts No. 1 in Europe - Stara Planina Festival "Balkan Folk", held annually in Veliko Tarnovo.

"A miracle born from the strong spirit of the Bulgarian people" - that's how Iliyan Nikolov defined the phenomenal atmosphere of the Festival. He will also be remembered for his contribution in the field of national values and his love for the Bulgarian, expressed in the organization of dozens of national, European and world festivals part of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk".

In the spring of 2016, during a solemn event, the Director General of UNESCO - Mrs. Irina Bokova, the President of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF - Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov and the Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo - Mr. Daniel Panov inaugurated the monument embodying the posthumous recognition of Mr. Iliyan Nikolov.

Let's traditionally bring to mind the work and life of the public figure and his work on the preservation of the intangible cultural heritage with the help of the two-part film "In memoriam" (part 1 - part 2) and the movies about the ceremony of the inauguration of the monument to Iliyan Nikolov by the Director General of UNESCO.

May his soul rest in peace!