In 2025, we mark 13 years since the passing of Iliyan Nikolov – a public figure, president of the Eurofolk Academy, founder and chairman of the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF) and the World Association of Folklore Festivals (WAFF).

He dedicated 16 years of his life to preserving and promoting folkloric musical traditions. History will remember him as the creator of the number one festival in Europe for traditional folk arts – the Stara Planina Festival “Balkan Folk”, which annually gathers thousands of participants and folklore enthusiasts in Veliko Tarnovo. Iliyan Nikolov himself referred to it as “a miracle born from the strong spirit of the Bulgarian people.” His boundless love for Bulgarian heritage and his dedicated devotion to folklore gave him the strength to organize and hold dozens of national, European, and world festivals under the Eurofolk Music Holidays.

In recognition of his work, on May 21, 2016, UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova, EAF President Kaloyan Nikolov, and the Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo Daniel Panov inaugurated a monument in his honor.

Today, we remember his tireless work and legacy for future generations. Let us pay tribute to his life and work through the film “In Memory” (Part 1 and Part 2), as well as the footage from the unveiling of his monument, filmed by EurofolkTV.

A deep bow to his bright memory!