The Folk Dance Ensemble “Kodreniy” at the House of Culture in Călărași, Republic of Moldova, won first place at the 16th World Folklore Championship “World Folk” and was awarded the title “Absolute World Champion for 2026”. The ensemble, led by artistic director Igor Filipciuc, received the Gold Medal of the Championship and the Grand Prix “Golden Orpheus”. The award was presented by Kaloyan Nikolov, President of the European and World Associations of Folklore Festivals. The winners also received a cheque for EUR 1,000 provided by the organizers.

Second place and the title “Absolute World Vice-Champion for 2026” went to the Youth Dance Ensemble of the Representative Folklore Ensemble “Slav Boykin” at the “St. St. Cyril and Methodius – Rakovski – 1908” Community Centre. The Bulgarian ensemble, led by Velizar Vasilev and choreographer Ivan Leskov, was awarded the Silver Medal of the Championship and the “Silver Orpheus”.

Third place went to the Al Sarris Dabkeh dance group at the Baqa al-Gharbiyye Community Center, led by artistic director Badeea Ganayem. The ensemble received the Bronze Medal of the Championship and the “Bronze Orpheus”.

A number of special awards were also presented during the closing ceremony. The Special Award of the European Association of Folklore Festivals – EAFF went to Labschool Jakarta Senior High School from Jakarta, Indonesia, with artistic directors Ms. Cheelvy and Nurul. The award included a diploma and the book “The Secret Societies of the Thracians” by Bulgarian Thracologist Prof. Valeria Fol.

The Award of the World Association of Folklore Festivals – WAFF was presented to the “Borsika” folk dance group from Miercurea Ciuc, Harghita – Transylvania, Romania, led by artistic director Rozália Antal, as well as to the Ensemble of the Institute of Culture “Art-Saqartvelo” from Tbilisi, Georgia, led by artistic director Murman Gamsionia which has also Nomination Grand Prix Award.

The Award of the Mayor of Nessebar Municipality, Nikolay Dimitrov, went to the Folk Vocal Group from Szeklerland from Miercurea Ciuc, Harghita – Transylvania, Romania, led by artistic director Erzsébet Györfi.

The Championship’s main media partner, Euro Folk Television, awarded the Quintet of the Children’s and Youth Folklore Ensemble “Graovche” at the Center for Support for Personal Development – ODK, Pernik, led by artistic director Mariana Yankulova. The ensemble received a free video shoot.

Two awards of the main organizer of the Championship, Euro Folk Academy, were presented to Bulgarian ensembles. The awarded groups were the Authentic Folklore Group “Varbinski Izvori” at the “Bratan Shukerov 1953” Community Centre in the village of Varbina, Madan Municipality, led by artistic director Daniela Sirakova, and Folklore Formation “Karlak 2015” from Asenovgrad, led by artistic director Hristina Bezhdremova.

The Award of Event Vacation Travel Agency went to Quartet “Muza” from Rakovski, comprising Reneta Plachkova, Maria Drumchiyska, Emilia Pecheva and Ivon Gaydadzhiyska.

Special attention during the ceremony was also given to the youngest participant in this year’s edition – Mihaela Pelicheva from the “Kitka” Dance Ensemble in Krumovgrad, who received a diploma and a gift from the organizers.

Commemorative gifts for their participation in Bulgaria were also presented to the two representatives of Kazakhstan – Suleimenova Aituana from Almaty, with artistic director Oralbekov Bekbolat, and Kalimullina Amira Ruslanovna from Almaty, with artistic director Julia Kasatkina.

The award ceremony marked the finale of the 16th World Folklore Championship “World Folk”, which brought together performers from Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Israel, India and Indonesia on one stage. The participants competed in nine categories structured by genre and age group, while their performances were evaluated by a professional jury consisting of maestro Georgi Yankov, choreographer Valentin Halvadzhiev and ethnologist Mariana Nutsova.

The festival days unfolded in an atmosphere of cultural diversity, colourful national costumes, music and dances from different parts of the world. The concert performances were broadcast live by Euro Folk Television on the online platforms and social media channels of EAFF and Euro Folk TV, allowing the Championship to be followed online.

The forum is organized by Euro Folk Academy, with Nessebar Municipality, Sunny Beach Resort, Sveti Vlas City Hall and Dinevi Group serving as hosts. The Championship is held under the auspices of the European Association of Folklore Festivals – EAFF.

All participants in the 16th World Folklore Championship will receive points according to their results for the World Folklore Ranking List.

The world folklore forum was officially closed by Kaloyan Nikolov, President of the European and World Associations of Folklore Festivals. The finale included words of gratitude to the participants, guests, hosts and teams who contributed to the organization of the Championship, along with wishes for new meetings during the 2027 festival summer.