With the title “Absolute Balkan Folk Champion for 2025” and the Grand Prize Golden Orpheus, Dance Ensemble “Zornitsa” from Chitalishte “Ivan Vazov – 1947”, town of Kostinbrod, led by Radoslav Todorov, was honored. The ensemble also received a gold medal and a check worth BGN 1,000, provided by Hisarya Municipality. The awards were presented by Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov – President of the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF), and Mrs. Iva Valcheva – Mayor of Hisarya.

Second place was awarded to the Chamber Vocal Group “Trakiyska Mladost” from Secondary School “Lyuben Karavelov”, Plovdiv, led by Liliya Trendafilova. The group received a silver medal, a Silver Orpheus, and the title Balkan Vice-Champion of Folklore 2025.

Third place went to the Folklore Dance Ensemble “Tvoretsat” from Association “Tvoretsat”, town of Svishtov, led by Yavor Uzunov. They were awarded a bronze medal and a Bronze Orpheus.

Chitalishte “Ivan Vazov – 1904”, Hisarya, presented its special award to the Kukeri Group from Chitalishte “Nauka – 1907”, village of Prolom, municipality of Karlovo.

Hisarya Municipality awarded a plaque and diploma to the Youth Group from Dance School “MI-RE-LA” in the village of German, led by Mirela Dimitrova and Atanas Terziev.

Euro Folk TV, the main media partner of the championship, awarded a free video clip to Liliya Andonova from the Authentic Folklore Group “Siyanie”, Chitalishte “Vazrazhdane – 1935”, Sofia.

The Euro Folk Academy awarded a special prize to Vocal Formation “Orpheus” from Plovdiv, led by maestro academician Violeta Kovacheva.

The European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF) honored the Children’s Group “Belchinche” from Chitalishte “Svetlina – 1909”, village of Belchin, municipality of Samokov, led by Daniela Georgieva.

Three contest days, three impressive programs, and the participation of nearly 200 folklore groups and individual performers turned the 13th edition of the Balkan Folk Championship “Euro Folk – Jiva Voda” into a real celebration of folk art. Hundreds of performances of songs, dances, and traditions filled the stage of Chitalishte “Ivan Vazov – 1904”, Hisarya, with emotion, tradition, and talent.

The championship was accompanied by various events – on Saturday, June 7th, a colorful and emotional parade of participants passed through the central streets of Hisarya, ending in front of the host chitalishte. Throughout the forum days, a Traditional Bread Contest was held in the chitalishte foyer, gathering original loaves and baked goods from different regions of Bulgaria. The distinguished bakers will be featured in interviews in the official film and in the special TV show “Folklore Table”. Some of the breads were donated to the “Dyado Radi” Retirement Home in Hisarya – a beautiful gesture of compassion and respect for tradition.

The organizers of the Balkan Championship are: Hisarya Municipality, Chitalishte “Ivan Vazov – 1904”, and Euro Folk Academy. The event is held under the auspices of the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF) – an accredited organization with consultative relations to the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The championship jury included: Maestro Georgi Yankov – music expert and choral conductor; Valentin Khalvadzhiev – choreographer and author of dozens of dance works; and Mariana Noutsova – ethnologist and program director of Euro Folk TV. All concerts were broadcast live on the EAFF and Euro Folk TV online platforms, the main media partner and leading producer of folklore video content.

Among the official guests were: Mayor of Hisarya – Mrs. Iva Valcheva, Director of the Balkan Championship – Mrs. Maria Sharalieva, and EAFF President – Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov, who officially closed the 13th edition of the Balkan Folk Championship “Euro Folk – Jiva Voda”.