For another consecutive year, the Festival of Zheravna will bring fans of Bulgarian folk music and traditions together. If you want to live for three days without the achievements of the modern civilization such as mobile phones, plastic products, modern clothes, bags and sunglasses – the event is for you. The entrance fee for the three festival days is 25 leva (approximately 12 Euro), for children up to 7 years the access is free and the ones between 7 and 14 years costs 10 leva (approximately 5 Euro). You can visit the patriotic event completely free of charge if you were born 15 years ago when ensemble “Bulgare” was found. You only need to verify this fact with an ID card. The entrance to the festival is with a dress code – Bulgarian folk costumes.
The opening of the festival is scheduled for 5 pm on August 17th. The official ceremony will begin three hours later. The program will be announced and the annual Apostle of Bulgarianness awarded. At 08.20 pm on the big stage will be remembered the national heroes of Bulgaria. Then you can enjoy a concert by Chudesia Dance Group from Pazardjik. A concert-performance of Trakia Folk Ensemble will begin at 08:50 pm on the big stage.
At 09.40 pm, the folk entertainment program begins with the sounds of the unique Rhodope “100 Kabaka Gaddy” with Todor Dufarev, traditional music from Petrich, the Thracian orchestra “Gergyovden”, directed by Vasil Denev and the Etropole Brass Band. Albena Veskova will perform a solo program from 10.30 pm. At 11 pm is the beginning of the songs and dances around the big fire under the accompaniment of “Royal Band-Blagoevgrad” and “Lyra” Orchestra – Dobrich.
On the second day, the festival will open at 10 am. Half an hour later, the fun starts with the 100 Kaba Bagpipes, music from Petrich, the Thracian Gergyovden Orchestra and Etropole Brass Band. At 11 am a traditional Bulgarian wedding will be presented. At 12.30 pm you can learn Bulgarian traditional dances together with representatives of clubs and schools for Bulgarian folk dances. At 2 pm the barbecue will be introduced, and half an hour later you can hear the performances of the group “Bulgarian Trendafil from North” – Norway and Duet “Rukatka”. At 03.30 pm will continue the performance of the different dance groups.
From 06.30 pm, traditional struggles will begin. At 06.30 pm is the start of the competition for authentic and stylized children’s, male and women costumes, and prizes are also provided for the winners. The signing for the event is at 1 pm at the official entrance. At 08.30 pm start the traditional dance battles, and a prize fund is also provided for the winners. Pre-enrollment is at the service entrance at 6 pm. The folk party will continue with Nikolay Slaveev, Slavka Kalcheva and the Kanarite Orchestra.
On the last day of the festival, besides the fun and the dances under the accompaniment of an orchestra, there is also free entry into the territory of the Festival without costumes and an entrance fee between 12 and 5 pm. This is the only day you are allowed to take pictures.
