Ethnic Festivals of the Mid to Late 20th – Early 21st Century as a Component of the Folklore Culture of Bulgaria

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the study of folklore festival culture in Bulgaria in the mid to late 20th – early 21st century. The characteristic features of the folklore festival culture of Bulgaria are considered, the main functions of the folklore festivals are determined, a number of well-known international, national and local ethnic folklore festivals taking place in different cities and villages of Bulgaria are classified. The first ethnofestivals in Bulgaria are described, such as the Festival of Folk Art and Animal Husbandry in Rozhen, the Festival of Folk Art in Koprivshtitsa, the International Folklore Festival in Burgas, the Festivals of Folk Art Pirin Sings, Balkan Sings and Tells, which are held from the 1960s till nowadays. They have started the development of the folklore-festival movement in Bulgaria. The ethnic festivals, held in Bulgaria, are classified. According to the time of holding, there are short-term and long-term festivals. According to the venue, Bulgarian ethnofestivals are stationary or mobile. According to geographical criteria, Bulgarian ethnofestivals can be divided into local, national, international and world. According to the age criteria of the participants, among the ethno-festivals there are children’s, youth, mixed festivals. Among the ethnofestivals the holidays of folk art, festivals of calendar and ceremonial holidays, festivals of authentic folk clothing, festivals of national cuisine, festivals of folk instrument ensembles, festivals of folk dances, festivals of folk crafts and trades etc. can be distinguished.