August 2016 I ISSUE 13

ISSN 2367-4717 I FREE GUIDE IN ENGLISH + MAP I July - August 2016 I ISSUE 13 Rozhen – Heritage in the Future The magical meadows of Rozhen will conquer the Rhodope Mountains once again and unite the whole Bulgarian nation from 15th to 17th of July. The Festival of Folklore and Livestock Breeding “Rozhen” in 2016 aims to assert itself as the largest forum of Bulgarian spirit, traditions and folklore. The festival was resurrected and renewed af- ter a 9-years absence. The event in 2015 has been attended by over 350 000 people. This year’s edition of the Rozhen Festival will have a special spot for those clothed in national costumes, and as for the Bulgarian national flag – it will be even bigger. More than 10,000 performers from all over the country are expected to participate in this year’s folklore competition. The festival program includes: • Folklore Competition “Rozhen” • Traditional crafts • Ethnographic and museum exhibitions • Expositions of sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cows and buffaloes • Dairy and meat products from the farm • Exhibitions of organic food and drinks • Folk games and wrestling matches • Culinary shows and Cheverme cooking • Horse attractions • Folk festivities In order the organization to be more efficient, this year’s festival will have special transport schemes with alternative routes through Banite, Devin and the region of Rozhen. In order to avoid traffic jams, there will be special routes for public trans- portation and in the three days of the event, regular traffic information will be fed via the Internet. More useful information how to get there find out on: http://www.rozhen.bg/en/ The Festival of Folklore and Livestock Breeding “Rozhen” is organized by the “Heri- tage in the Future” Foundation, in partnership with the Municipalities of Smolyan and Chepelare. FOLK TALES ABOUT ROZHEN From the old days on the Rozhen meadows old churches of Christian saints were revered; saints whose feasts are within two months – July and August. In 1898, Father Angel Indjov, a priest in Sokolovtsi village was the first one to come up with a general concept of a fair on these lands, summoning parishioners to honor all the saints of the Rozhen chapels on the day of St. Pantaleon – July 27. Rozhen gradually became a place where once a year relatives and friends could share both pain and joy. As days went by generations turned those meet- ings into tradition by organizing family and friendly gatherings of the Rhodope people – not just the natives of the area, but also the ones deported to the heart of the country. BULGARIA IN BRIEF 1 2 BULGARIA IN BRIEF 1 BULGARIA IN BRIEF 16 OVERVIEW 24 ACCOMMODATION 30 BARS AND Dear Readers, RESTAURANTS Greetings and warm welcome to Plovdiv City® Info Guide. The summer in Plovdiv offers you many opportunities for you free time. From 14th 36 ENTERTAINMENT till 17th of July the city of Plovdiv will host ECA European Canoe Sprint Juniors & U23 Championships. Do not miss to 40 CULTURE read also my Editor’s Top 5 facts in the Bulgarian history of sport. Take a look at the highlights of the Plovdiv’s 48 USEFUL NUMBERS cultural calendar as well. You should definitely visit OPERA OPEN’ 2016 in July and DroneUP International Film Festival Plovdiv City ® Info Guide in August. Publisher: One of the most interesting events this Nova Advertising Ltd. summer is Rozhen Festival 2016 in the UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ACADEMIC OPERA /Нова Адвъртайзинг ЕООД/ Mid-July, where Bulgarian folklore and tra- Manager: Lyudmila Mladenova ditions gather people who want to preserve Editor: Lyubina Panayotova and pass the unique Bulgarian spirit onto the new generations. Definitely Rozhen is a Design: Nova Advertising Ltd. place to be, if you curious about Bulgarian Cover: The Old Town / Photo by Assen Velikov/ authentic traditions. Print: Janet 45 Ltd. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have For Advertising, any tips, photos and stories you want to Bulk Orders and Subscriptions: share. We will be glad if you want to tell us (before 10th of the preceding month, please!) your thoughts and opinion about some of Phone: 02 980 85 01 the Bulgarian features and we would like to Cell: 0896 717 225 find out your perspective to the cities which E-mail: [email protected] you’ve visited. You are always welcome to [email protected] facebook.com/cityinfoguides.bulgaria be our guest and we are hoping that you will plan another trip to Bulgaria any time soon. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior See you next time, permission. Monthly circulation: 5 000 Lyubina Panayotova www.cityinfoguides.com Editor BULGARIA IN BRIEF 3 PLOVDIV – EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2019 Plovdiv is officially the European Capital of Culture in 2019. The concept of the city on the seven hills bearing the motto “Together” impressed the international jury. The idea is, using culture, to join together the minorities and majorities, people of different generations, ethnos and religions not only in the city but also in the whole South central region, stand- ing behind the application of the city for a European capital of culture. Plovdiv is a unique miniature model of Europe and is a place where, for centuries, the cultures of different people and ethnos, with their religions live together in peace. At the same time, “Together” also means reviving spaces such as the hills, Maritsa, parks, streets and squares and left buildings (for instance the tobacco stores, Kapana), rethought as spaces for culture, sport, recreation and tourism only because thus, a solid relation will be built between the city and the people. The sense of “Plovdiv Together” is to join the past of this city, dating back to 6000 BC with the future in the presence – the cultural historical heritage shall be integrated in contemporary context and a new life shall be inspired with a vision for future development. Stepping on this concept, Plovdiv is developing an interesting and innovative programme, as its major long-term impact will be related to the development of the cultural scene in the city. The role of our artistic programme is also to attract new audiences not only from the city, but also from abroad. We would like our projects to reach people who do not traditionally take part in the cultural life of Plovdiv, but who are not just users but active participants in the process of culture creation. Thus, we aim to create an active creative scene which will place Plovdiv on the world cultural map and attract visitors from all over the world who will touch the past of this city, take a breath of the atmosphere of Ayliak and enjoy the best of the contemporary culture. In the program, Plovdiv is relying on the transformation of places which are emblematic for the city, which are actually abandoned – the tobacco stores, the brother hill, Cosmos cinema, Kapana quarter, the turning of the reading clubs into attractive spaces for cultural and touristic activity and their transformation in unique cultural centers in all parts of the city. At the moment, Plovdiv is working on the creation of the first quarter of creative industries in Bulgaria – Kapana. Local and European artists will join their efforts to renew neglected civil spaces which, on their side, will attract tourists with intense artistic program and events. Another important accent in the program of Plovdiv is the stable natural development of the city – providing better access to green areas, restoration of the connection with the hills, the Adata island, which will be rediscovered as touristic locations as well. Located on the ancient road „Via Diagonalis”, connecting Rome with Constantinople, Plovdiv is a city, where life has not faded away for already 8 millennia. It possesses unique energy it offers to the visitors so: Come with friends, to create Together! 4 BULGARIA IN BRIEF The State Opera Plovdiv invites to the 3rd edition of annual festival OPERA OPEN. You could enjoy magical classic concerts, opera and operetta performances at the Ancient Theater Plovdiv. All of the events start at 21:00 o’clock. Programme: 6th of July 19th of July VIVA L’OPERA, VIVA L’OPERETTA INTERNATIONAL BALLET GALA Conductor: Dian Chobanov Conductor: Dian Chobanov Soloists: Mara Mastaril and Mikael Havlicek Soloists: Krasina Pavlova and Arshak In the program are the most famous opera Galumyan (Staatsballett Berlin); George and operetta scenes Smilevski and Natalia Krapivina (Moscow Academic Music Theatre of Stanislavkiy and 15th of July Nemirovich-Danchenko); Nikolai Goroditski TURANDOT – by Puccini (New York City Ballet). Conductor: Nayden Todorov Soloists: Lila Lee, Kamen Chanev, Plamen 22nd of July Kumpikov, Eugenia Ralcheva, Alexander AIDA – by Verdi Krunev, Mark Fuler, Alexander Baranov Directed by Nina Naydenova Performed by State Opera Plovdiv 16th of July Soloists: Tanya Ivanova, Ivaylo Mihailov, TRIBUTE TO ABBA Plamen Kumpikov Performed by Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra and a rock band 29th of July Conductor: Nayden Todorov PANDORA – International project Soloists: Nadine Kune, Anette Hesel Music by Paul van Brugge and Petar Dundakov In the program: hits like Mamma Mia, The Choreography by Boryana Sechanova Winner Takes It All, Fernando, Money, Conductor: Dian Chobanov Money, Money, Dancing Queen and many Soloists: Mariyana Panova, Evelina Hristova, more. Daniela Dimitrova BULGARIA IN BRIEF 5 DroneUp IFF 2016 DroneUp International Film Festival will take place in Plovdiv on August 19th-20th. The film festival will present the best and most creative aerial cinematography. This year, in Plovdiv, you will have the opportunity to see filmmakers from around the world present their best works in front of a live audience and compete for awesome prizes.

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