MERRY CRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW 2014 YEAR!

TO ALL OF FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES OF THE CHITALISHTE "DRASTAR-2012" MAY THIS CRISTMAS BE BRIGHT  AND CHEERFUL AND MAY THE NEW 2014 YEAR BEGIN  IN A PROSPEROUS NOTE! 

 

"Dobrudzha" Folklore dances group: What have we learned so far?

The Folklore dances group "Dobrudzha-2012" is the most active formation of the Chitalishte "Drastar-2012". 

The Folklore dances group meetings are held every Monday and Wednesday from 18.30 in the halls of Silistra Youth Center at 135, Simeon Veliki str. The meetings are available for those who want to pleasure the study of Bulgarian folklore dances in the company of like-minded people .
Since the establishment of the club so far we have learned over 40 dances from various folkloric regions of Bulgaria: 11 from Dobrudzha region, 8 from Macedonia region, 1 from Rhodope region, 12 from the Northern Bulgaria, 6 from the region of Thrace and 6 from the Sofia region "Shopluk". 

We still have to learn more and more the richness of Bulgarian folklore. 

The 1st participation of the folklore group in an art-festival "Nestia", Nessebar, Bulgaria, 2012

Introducing: Bulgaria's folklore areas

The Bulgarian folklore in nature and expression varies according to the regions where it occurred. In this regard, the country is divided into several folkloric and ethnographic areas: Dobrudzha, Northern, Shopluk, Thrace, Pirin, Rhodope and Strandzha. 

Source: Bulgarian folk dances

Each area has its own characteristics in terms of song and dance folklore.

• The Dobrudzha folklore and ethnographic area occupies the northeastern part of Bulgaria - the north is bounded by the river, in the east - from the Black Sea and to the west - from Northern folklore area. 
• The Northern folklore and ethnographic area is covering northwestern Bulgaria and Central Northern Bulgaria. Geographic area includes two subareas - Danubian hilly plain (without Dobrudzha) and northern Balkan. The boundaries of the area outline north of the Danube, to the south by the mountains, west of the Serbian border and east of Dobrudzha.
• The Thrace folklore and ethnographic area occupies a geographic region of the Thracian Plain. Mainly because of differences in the folk dance is usually divided into two subareas - Western Thrace ( Plovdiv and Pazardjik ) and Eastern Thrace.
• The Shoppe folklore and ethnographic area (Shopluk) covers the western part of Srednogorie Mountain, Sofia, Pernik and Breznik
• The Pirin folklore and ethnographic area (the Macedonian) includes the lands of the Pirin Mountains , Vardar and Aegean Macedonia.
• The Rhodope folklore and ethnographic area coincides with the geographical area of ​​Rhodope Mountain.
• The Strandja folklore and ethnographic area is located east of the Thrace region to the Black Sea, to the north extends to the Dobrudzha, and southward to the border with Turkey. In terms of folk dance is not much different from Eastern Thrace so it is sometimes regarded as a third sub-region of Thrace. Yet the musical folklore of Strandja is quite distinctive and different from that in Eastern Thrace, in consequence of which many researchers consider it as a separate folklore region .

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dobrudzha folklore area

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Autumn in Dobrudzha. Author: Ivan Hristov

Dobrudzha area occupies the northeastern part of Bulgaria - the west is bordered by the Northern folklore area, the north is bounded by the Danube river and east - on the Black Sea. It is characterized by its rich and varied folklore. After the Liberation of Bulgaria (Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878) there was settled large groups of Thracian population from the Balkan regions of Stara Planina, Kotel and others.
In Dobrudzha area there are two styles - Thracian and Balkan that gradually flow into the deeper layers of ancient local traditions. 

The specific for Dobrudzha area is creation of a new, but typical for this region instrumental style, played on fiddle, flute and bagpipe. Particularly renowned are Dobrudzha's dance tunes "ruki", "sboreni", "rachenitza" etc. It will not be exaggeration to say that there is formed an interesting instrumental school as a result of the interpenetration of the Thracian and Balkan folklore. It is not underestimated the influence of folk music on neighboring Romania, which takes elements of Bulgarian folklore (7/16) , but it gives the Bulgarian instrumental folklore style specific maneuvers performance.

An element of an apron - part of the Dobrudzha
folklore costume

The Dobrudzha' dances have their own style, characterized by mood, free of body stiffness, dancing even with the arms and the shoulders. The dance is moderate with slightly leaning backwards. The Dobrudzha' people is closed in a semicircle or straight rachenitza. Men play in a straight line, but in a circle or semicircle if the dance is mixed men and women. The Dobroudzha' dancers love to play solo, even when dancing rachenitza in a group, it seems dancing is like if it is by individual soloists. The most common dances (hora in Bulgarian) are "Raka", "Sborenka", "Danets", "Buenets", "Paydushko" (5/8) , "Rachenitza" (5/8) etc. 

(Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/28349/bul/index.htm. )

See the illustrations from the book "Dobrudja. Ethnography , folklore and language studies". Ed . Academy of Sciences, 1974 . Illustrations published by Velin Neychev through Facebook - profile "Bulgarian costume". 

Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" participated in the 2013 Festival of the folklore costume in Zheravna village

A folklore club of Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" participated in the presentation of authentic folklore groups within the 2013 Festival of folklore costume in Zheravna village

 

Diploma for participationof " Drastar -2012 " Silistra

As of organizer's information the 2013 more than 15,000 participants and guests stayed during the three days of the Festival in the "Dobromeritsa" area near Zheravna village. This year visitors - guests and participants were the most numerous of the creation of the Festival. The opening ceremony on August 23 concert brought Ensemble "Strandja" from Burgas. The festival in 2013 was attended by the appearance of  two foreign folklore groups - Ensemble at the Art Institute in the town of Surakarta, Indonesia and the Ensemble "Tanas Maria" from Craiova city, Romania.

During the second day of the Festival of folklore groups from across the country presented authentic costumes, customs, songs and dances. Performances of the groups were accepted enthusiastically and with much charge the audience. Even the performance of Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" was hearty and soul as well as dancing in Dobrogea.

Participants from Chitalishte "Drastar -2012" Silistra in front of the Festival  Zheravna 2013

The Zheravna Festival if a feast of traditional folklore culture of the Bulgarians from over a century ago. Permanent national festivities, wrestling, fire-dancing, people dancing around the evening fire, tasting homemade berries jam, baked potatoes and bread, roasted lamb meat, making "heroic" kebab (fried pork meat with vegetables), tiganitsi (fried cakes), all in a unique atmosphere of spirituality and respect for Bulgarian tradition. In "ancient bazaar" could be seen masterfully crafted antique jewelry, paintings from painted wool, embroidered shirts and pinafores, pottery, wooden cutlery, bagpipes, hand made ​​candles, homemade soap, old rifles and pistols etc. Anyone could make various handmade pottery.

The majority of the festival experience can not be described in words - it must be experienced. Touching that past time has a special treat for the senses of the modern "sophisticated" people. Simple things like wearing costumes, tasting freshly baked bread, or knocking on the dance or the sound of burning logs, sitting on the the lawn under the shade of pine trees-it's been something that  in those three days not allowed none of the Festival' guests to had a bad mood. Even last barefoot on hot coals was easily feasible for the majority of our group. We were proud to be Zheravna - 2013 Festival participants.

Look at the pics here and here. .

 

Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" already has its own logo

"The Earth can be conquered with a pound, not by the sword." (Orpheus)

 

Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" already has its own logo. It contains two elements - a stylized sundial and the letter "D". Both elements are related to the history and name of the town of Silistra and the name of the Chitalishte. 

One of the symbols of Silistra of antiquity is antique sundial with the image of Orpheus. This is the most spectacular and largest sized stone sundial from Roman era discovered in Bulgaria and Lower Danubian lands. The find was discovered in 1968 in the ancient Durostorum - Silistra and dates from II-III century AD. 

Under the clock drive in high relief is presented Thracian god Orpheus with lyre in hand, and surrounded by a large group of animals, holding their breath becouse of the wonderful melodies. The scene is flanked by two columns with Corinthian capitals, on which are represented the Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis. The clock has encoded three feasts. The first is connected with the release of the boat of god Serapis in the water, which marks the beginning of the navigation of the Danube. The second feast is associated with the god of the sea Neptune and his soldiers as representatives of 11 Claudius The legion is among the founders of Durostorum. The soldiers were carrying copies, on top of that had a coat of arms with the image of Neptune. The third feast is associated with the removal of the boat Serapis, which marks the end of navigation on the Danube. This watch is unique among solar watches of the Roman Empire.

***************************

Historical museum of Silistra, picture: Wikipedia

The Roman stone sundial is set in the heart of the archaeological exposition in Silistra Historical Museum. Other valuable exhibits are the Roman helmet - mask depicted griffins; grave treasure trove of precious metals from Roman and medieval times, chariot burial of a noble Roman magistrate by the end of the III century - only the former Roman lands; statue of Roman, golden ring on one of the first Christians from the late third century, collections of gold jewelry from III-IV and XIII-XIV century, the name column Omortag Khan (reigned 814-831), stamps of Bulgarian and Byzantine rulers and senior aristocrats, gold jewelry of princesses (despotitsa and despina) Drustur of the fourteenth century, coin collections and treasures from the fourth century BC to the fifteenth century AD Silistra Museum has one of the richest collections in the country of medieval crosses made from various materials and techniques during X-XIII century.Outside the halls of the exhibition, the garden around the building of the museum is shaped like lapidarium with marble statues and stone, ancient sarcophagi, remains of columns and other architectural details.In various parts of the city can be seen other objects of Historical museum of Silistra :- Roman tomb with frescoes, dating from the fourth century AD. It was discovered in 1942. According to historians and archaeologists it is the tomb of a noble Roman pagan for his public position to judge by rich decorations and displayed certificate issued to him by the Emperor.- Archaeological Reserve "Durostorum - Drastar Silistra". The reserve is located within 90% of the modern city. It can be seen the remains of a Roman town villa II-IV century, Episcopal Palace and the basilica at the end of IV - VI century.- Turkish fort "Abdul Medjidi" (Medjidi Tabia). This is the only fully preserved in the interior and exterior of the Ottoman era fortress in Bulgaria. It was built on the eve of the Crimean War (1853 - 1856) . The fort is located on a beautiful hill near the town.

The "Dobrudzha-2012" Folklore Dance Group participated into "LIPNIK 2013" FOLKLORE FESTIVAL

With a special diploma for participation in the "LIPNIK 2013" Folklore Festival was awarded our "Dobrudzha-2012" Folklore Dance Group

Another manifestation of our club "Dobrogea-2012" for this season was the 3rd National festival of the folklore dance clubs - "Lipnik 2013". The Festival was held in the beautiful Forest Park "Lipnik" ( Tekke ) near the village of Nikolovo, Rousse municipality. This year the Festival was held on 3 and 4 August 2013 under the slogan "Let's get to the dance on Teketo under the sky". The organizers are The Hall of Nikolovo village, Nikolovo Chitalishte "Probuda-1901" and the "Chanove" Bulgarian folk dances club. 

The skills of the participants from 18 of Bulgarian folk dances clubs from around the country and one dance club by the Romanian city of Giurgiu were judged by the professional jury cosisted of: Mr. Bogdan Donev - choreographer, Mr Kancho Varbanov - choreographer, Mr Veliko Dimitrov - choreographer Mr Nikolai Kolev - the Mayor of Basarbovo and Mrs Maria Genova - the Mayor of Nikolovo vil   e Award went to Burgas club "Chanove" and the reward of the mayor of Nikolovo took club "Pastar Horovod" of Dobrich city. The most valuable of the festival happens at the end of the formal dancing at the disco folk night. It was there that were made acquaintances, established friendships, planned future joint appearances and created deep sustainable networks between Bulgarians captured by the charms of folklore dances. At the end of the evening sky over park "Lipnik" were released glowing lanterns with messages.

We thank to Hall of Nikolovo and the folklore dance club "Chanove" Rousse for the wonderful organization and hospitality.

Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" will participate in the Festival of the folklore costume in Jeravna, 2013

The festival of the folklore costume in Jeravna - the hearth of spirituality and a return to the roots of the Bulgarians

 

In August, 23rd to 25th, the architectural reserve the village Zheravna will host the 6th Festival of folklore costume. So far the Festival is unique in Bulgaria and is gaining more and more popularity and fans. The Festival is held each year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the third week of August (the Holy Vergin feast). From 2009 got international. The first edition was in 2008 financed by the "Bulgare" Foundation, the Municipality of Kotel, the Mayor of Zheravna village and donors.
In 2013 Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" Silistra will take part in the Festival - a challenge and a test of our perseverance and ambition to represent and distribute the traditions of our Silistra region. On August 24, the second festival day, we will present authentic Dobrudja' dances - "Chesta", "Raka", "Sborenka", "Opas" and "Pravo horo". We are enthusiastic and full of willing to sink the atmosphere of the festival and to get closer to the Bulgarian time over 150 200 years ago and touch to what our nation has kept for generations as traditions.

  

The Festival is a sort of "time machine" that participants and guests fond of native folklore, carried for three days back in time and far from civilization. The fair is held outdoors in the pine forest of "Dobromeritsa" near Zheravna. Song contest and dances, dancing and fire dancing mummers, freestyle wrestling and presentation of folklore customs from different parts of the Bulgaria - it welcomes everyone standing in the village in those days. Masters of various crafts displayed their wares in stalls makeshift bazaar. The Festival has strict rules - the main condition and compulsory pass for entry into the Festival area is folk costume. Thousands of patriotic people in costumes from different parts of Bulgaria together will be immersed in the magic of the latest edition of the Festival of folklore costume in Jeravna this year 2013.

 See photos from the Festival in 2012. 
The Festival web site: www.nosia.bg
The "Bulgare" Foundation web site: www.bulgare.net
 

***********
About the Zheravna village (Website)

In the heart of Stara Planina mountain, 640 meters above the sea, is situated the pearl of the Kotel Balkan - village of Zheravna. In 1958 the village was declared a museum reserve. Here was born one of the giants of Bulgarian literature - Jordan Jovkov, autor of the masterpiece in the Bulgarian prose-collection of stories dedicated to Zheravna - "Staroplaninski legendi" (Balkan Legends). Zheravna is home to a number of heroes for national liberation and spiritual - Sava Filaretov, Todor Ikonomov, Rayno Popovich, Vasil Stoyanov and many others. Zheravna is architectural museum reserve, one of the wonders of the Bulgarian master builder. Most of the houses are completed architectural images with unique artistic form. Generally preserved authentic Renaissance look of the village - narrow cobbled streets, one-or two-storey wooden houses surrounded by stone walls. Particularly impressive are preserved to our days over 200 old houses built before and during the Renaissance. Typical of them are made of wood, but are built on stone foundations, some of the most interesting from among them are two floors. Part of the wooden houses are more than 300 years. Each one of the oldest buildings is a unique monument. Renaissance artist worked on the houses of oak boards, with wide porches and to 2 meters deep eaves. 172 houses in the village have been declared architectural monuments. In the vicinity are a lot of sources, most of which were taken into the spout of water fountains with melodious names: Krincha, Starcha, Zaykovka built since time immemorial.

**********What is interesting in Zheravna?§ The Church "St. Nicholas ", built in 1834, in which it is arranged rich collection of icons, stone sculptures and church plates.§ The House Museum "Jordan Jovkov": The birthplace of the great Bulgarian author (1880 - 1937) is located on the square "Goliamo bardo".  Exhibition, composed of his papers, manuscripts and photographs, tells the life and work by Jordan Jovkov. Focus of the exhibition is the pen with the writer wrote "Balkan Legends" stories, inspired in part by the author's homeland.§ The House Museum "Sava Filaretov": Exhibition "History Zheravna."§ The House Museum "Russi chorbadzhi": In the house can be seen the exhibition "Life and Culture of the Renaissance Zheravna (XVIII - XIX century)." Representing different crafts during the Renaissance practiced in Zheravna. Huge impression handlooms and fine linen fabrics that local women from Zheravna tissued with mastery. The house was declared an architectural monument in 1978.§ The Art Gallery: Located in the school building, built in 1867, the Gallery stocks has more than 450 works by local and foreign artists. Thera are organized annually visiting exhibitions of artists or exhibitions of ethnographic museums in the country. 

 § The Park "Dobromiritsa": located close to the village, where every year during the second half of August, has conducted the National Festival of the folklore costume.
§ Near to the village of Zheravna are the historical sites "Iglikina poliana", "Haydushki izvori" and  "Charmanat". Nearby is Medven  village - the birthplace of  bulgarian writer Zahari Stoyanov.

"Dobrudzha-2012" Dance Club marched in "Parade of the Arts - Silistra" project event

On May 18, 2013 the "Dobrudzha-2012" dance club marched  in "Parade of the Arts - Silistra"* wearing  newly Dobrougea folklore costumes sewn within the project implemented by the Municipality of Silistra.

 
The gorge was part of the final concert happening and went from the church "St. St. Peter and Paul " to the main municipal square and from there through the city park to the summer scene also renovated with the project funds. The procession was interrupted repeatedly spontaneously playing in front of people strolling citizens and guests.



 

 

Over 29 participants were presented on the open sky scene floor. There were presented also additional specially designedand sewn type of Dobrogea, Armenian, Turkish and Roma folklore costumes. These costumes would be in use by various folklore groups and clubs, including club "Dobrogea-2012" and the formations of Chiitalishte "Drastar-2012" in connection with their performances and appearances. The happening ended with a light show.

See photos from the gorge, concerts and video featuring club dances "Dobrogea-2012."

********
The "Parade of the Arts - Silistra" Project BG161PO001/1.1-10/2010/023 be implemented by the Municipality of Silistra with the financial support of the  "Regional Development" Operative Program 2007-2013, financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The total cost of the project is BGN 519,977. The project aims to strengthen the role of culture as a catalyst to ensure adequate and effective cultural environment conducive to the sustainable development of the municipality of Silistra. Implementation of activities started in 2011 In 2013, the innovative cultural event takes place under the motto "Silistra - the cradle of ancient civilizations". 

Participation of the Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" foklore groups in the "Spring dances and songs" Municipal Festival in Silistra

This year's Palm Sunday all the folklore groups of the Chitalishte "Drastar-2012" participated in the traditional spring festival in Silistra organized by the Municipality of Silistra for the community culture centers and  associations. Over 20 chitalishtes and folklore associations took part into the "Spring dances and songs" Festival. 

The folklore dances group

Traditionally, the Festival is held on the eve and the day of Palm Sunday in the central town "Freedom" square. The event has a special place in the poster of the May Cultural Events in Silistra.
   

The partners from "The Shikovtzi" Ensemble.

The instrumental group



Look out for more pictures. 

Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday - Bulgarian tradition 

Palm Sunday is the most colorful feast of the year following the Lazarus. It is celebrated the Sunday before Easter (Resurrection) - the biggest Christian holiday.Saturday raised Lazarus, Christ entered into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and people welcomed him with palm leaves that litter the ground at his feet and cheering "Hosanna". 

Orthodox tradition in Bulgaria has chosen for this holiday branch of freshly broken willow. The night before during the time of the Vigil these branches are lit in the church and in the morning give away the faithful. Each one brings to the house willow branches weaves them wreath and hang it on the door against evil and disease. This wreath is burned after year. 
The girls dressed in festive clothes and flower garlands on their heads, carrying baskets decorated with greenery and collection of gifts. They go around the houses singing, wishing health, fertility, happiness, prosperity and fulfillment of the deepest hopes of everyone in the family, and in turn hosts give them nuts, eggs, money, fruits and small gifts. It was believed that the custom "Lazaruvane" (Lazarus dances) brings economic prosperity and a better life of the villagers.

For girls it's rite of "initiation" in girlhood - so they come to the group of girls and are ready to start a family. Once it was thought that a girl who is not going to "Lazaruvane" can not marry. Usually on this day in the past young men are like the hands of theirs future spouses.

 
The week, which begins after Palm Sunday is called Holy Week (passion meant pain and suffering). All the days of her worn definition of "great". It reminded of the last moments of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, his suffering and death. Holy Week fasting is the most rigorous.