Stara Zagora
Director: Stefan Marinov
Stara Zagora – An Ancient City on the “Path of the Sun”
Stara Zagora is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Bulgaria, renowned for its straight-lined urban layout, rich cultural heritage, and the strong spirit of its people. Located in the heart of the Thracian Plain, the city has been a natural crossroads of cultures for millennia.
Today, Stara Zagora is a modern and welcoming center that skillfully combines ancient heritage with the dynamic rhythm of contemporary urban life. The Ancient Forum of Augusta Traiana, the museums, galleries, and parks create a unique atmosphere where traditions come alive and continue to evolve.
As the host city of the International Folklore Festival, Stara Zagora provides an ideal stage for a meeting of cultures from around the world. The city is well known for its strong folklore traditions, active artistic ensembles, and annual cultural events, proving that here art is a way of life.
Stara Zagora welcomes participants and guests with warm hospitality, worthy of its ancient status and modern spirit, turning the festival into a true celebration of music, dance, and friendship among nations.
Organizers
Live Broadcast
The concert programs will be broadcast live on the streaming channels of EurofolkTV: tv.eurofolk.com, YouTube: @TVeurofolk, Facebook: EurofolkTV and EAFForg
Festival Motto – “The Path of the Sun”
Terms of Participation
The International Folklore Festival in Stara Zagora is open to all ages, with no restrictions on nationality, and is non-competitive in nature. The main goal of the event is to present the richness of folklore traditions and to encourage cultural exchange among nations.
Who Can Participate
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Folklore dance ensembles and clubs
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Choirs and vocal groups
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Instrumental ensembles
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Folklore ensembles
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Children’s, youth, and mixed groups
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Professional and amateur groups
Limit: up to two groups per country.
Festival Format
- The festival is non-competitive, with no jury and no ranking.
- Participants present programs focused on traditional and stylized folklore, authentic costumes, and stage performance.
- The aim is to build friendships and cultural bridges between the groups.
- The Organizing Committee awards participation diplomas to all groups, as well as special diplomas for outstanding contribution to the festival.
- Within the festival, an Open Seminar on Balkan Dances will be organized, led by prominent choreographers from Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and other countries.
Program and Stage Performances
Free time for individual activities, museum visits, city tours, excursions
18:00 – 20:00 – Dinner at the hotel
Free time for individual activities, museum visits, city tours, excursions
17:00 – 18:00 – Dinner at the hotel
19:00 – Parade along the main street
20:00 – 22:00 – Official opening and concert at the Ancient Forum of Augusta Traiana
11:00 – 14:00 – Open Seminar on Balkan Dances or excursions
14:00 – 16:00 – Preparation for festival activities
17:00 – 18:00 – Dinner at the hotel
19:30 – 22:00 – Festival Evening – Summer Theatre
11:00 – 14:00 – Open Seminar on Balkan Dances or excursions
14:00 – 16:00 – Preparation for festival activities
17:00 – 18:00 – Dinner at the hotel
19:00 – 21:30 – Festival Evening – Summer Theatre
22:00 – DJ Party
11:00 – Hotel check-out and departure
Performance Duration
- Group performances: up to 10 minutes
- Soloists and duets: up to 4 minutes
Live music or recorded accompaniment is allowed.
Each group must prepare at least one performance; parades, defiles, or additional performances are possible.
Costumes, props, and music materials are provided by the participants.
Technical Requirements
The stage is equipped with professional sound and lighting systems.
Groups must submit in advance:
- Audio files in MP3/WAV format (if using recorded music)
- Technical requirements (microphones, stage layout, instruments)
- A short group presentation for announcements
All audio materials must be sent no later than 7 days before the festival begins.
Participation Fee
- €10 per participant
- €30 per soloist or duet
The organizational fee covers logistics, technical support, and festival materials.
Accommodation and Transport
Accommodation Packages:
- €120 per person – 3 nights with breakfast (BB), 3★ hotel
- €160 per person – 4 nights with breakfast (BB), 3★ hotel
- €168 per person – 3 nights with breakfast and dinner (HB), 3★ hotel
- €224 per person – 4 nights with breakfast and dinner (HB), 3★ hotel
DISCOUNT: Every 25th participant is free (24 paying participants + 1 free)
Accommodation Details
Participants will be accommodated in comfortable hotels and apartments.
- Rooms: 3–4 beds with private bathroom
- Double rooms for group leaders and drivers: up to 2 per group
- Check-in: after 14:00 / Check-out: before 12:00
- One free overnight stay for every 25 participants
Hotels: City Hotel ***, Vereya Hotel ***, Zheleznik Hotel **, or similar category hotels.
Higher-category hotels can be arranged upon request at different rates.
Accomodation Fee Does Not Include
- Additional double room: +€10 per person/day
- Single room: +€28 per day
- Tourist tax: €2 per person/day
- Extra overnight stay (HB): €56 per person/day
- Lunch or dinner supplement: €14–18 per person/day
- Travel expenses, insurance, visas (for non-Schengen countries), entrance fees, public transport tickets, optional excursions
Additional paid services may be arranged upon request.
Transport to Stara Zagora and accommodation arrangements are at the participants’ expense.
Upon prior request, local city transport and airport transfers can be arranged.
Nearest International Airports
- Plovdiv Airport (PDV) – approx. 75–77 km
- Burgas Airport (BOJ) – approx. 155–180 km
- Sofia Airport (SOF) – approx. 184–230 km
- Varna Airport (VAR) – approx. 199–277 km
- Istanbul Airport (IST) – approx. 280–290 km
- Bucharest – Otopeni (OTP) – approx. 240–315 km
Tourist Routes
In Stara Zagora (up to 3 hours)
- “The Heart of Stara Zagora – From Antiquity to Today”
- “Stara Zagora – City of Religions and Tolerance”
- “Green Stara Zagora – From the City to Nature”
- “Folklore Stara Zagora” (thematic)
Outside Stara Zagora (4–5 hours / up to 45 km)
- “Valley of the Thracian Kings” – Stara Zagora → Kazanlak → Shipka
- “Stara Zagora Mineral Baths and SPA Culture”
- “Fortresses and the Middle Ages” – Stara Zagora → Buzovo Kale Fortress / Hisarya
- “Wine and Traditions in Thrace” – Stara Zagora → Chirpan / Bratya Daskalovi
Application Procedure
- Group name and country
- Contact person
- Number of participants and age groups
- Program description
- Video links
Applications are accepted until the festival program is completed.
After confirmation, groups receive detailed schedules and instructions.
A 10% advance guarantee fee is required, deducted from the final payment.
An additional 30% is paid for accommodation reservation.
The remaining 60% is payable up to 20 days before arrival.
On-site payments are accepted only with prior approval from the organizers.
