“THE COLOURS OF TRADITIONS” – SHARED IMAGES OF ASIA

Abstract

research aim is to present festival ideas and events related to the so-called new Silk Road and shared images from Asia in Bulgaria. That is why I point out initiatives and institutions that have paved the way to the Asian Festival in Sofia (2017-2019) and I systematize the ideas, structure, organization and schedule of this festival. Musical and dance performances are in the core of the festival program, but additional initiatives are added to them. Both, traditional and contemporary genres are selected, but the traditional ones are predominant. The musical and dance performances in the Asian Festival are represented mainly by Bulgarian performers or by culture bearers residing in Bulgaria which is the festival’s peculiarity. Some new trends in the festival program are also shown. After analyzing the studied material I come to some conclusions: the mentioned ways to meet the otherness and to share images of Asian cultures contribute to a more dynamic display of cultural events in Bulgaria related to Asia. They show much more interest in geographically distant cultures for the Bulgarians and their increased opportunities for contact with them. Exports of cultural traditions and practices from Asia to Bulgaria are increasing and they contribute to a more consistent perception of Asian cultures. Relatively new cultural practices and communities founded around them are established and enlarged. Thus, a new stage in exploration, acceptance and sharingof traditions and knowledge from Asia in Bulgarian context is emerging.