According to the critics of the International Music Festival in Moscow, held in April 2004, the Bulgarian folk music is"an unearthly music, unique voices and songs, a wonder, that cannot exist on Earth".
You can enjoy the magic of the Bulgarian voices, the pleasant music tones, created by the Bulgarian music instruments and the fascinating folk dances in every folk-style restaurant throughout the country.
One of the most immediately recognizable characteristics is the beautiful vocal timbre with a rich and stirring sound. Bulgaria's
"Izlel e Deljo Hajdutin" folk song, performed by the famous singer
Valia Balkanska was sent in the space on the board of Voyager I as a message to the alien's civilizations from the Earth!
Bulgaria is also proud of its
"Trio Balgarka", a Bulgarian trio, also known as
"The mystery of the Bulgarian voices". The tree singers perform authentic Bulgarian folk music that conquered the world with its unique singing.
The most common music instruments are
gaida /bagpipe/,
kaval /end blown flute/,
gadulka /bowed string instrument/, and the
tapan /a large drum/.
Bulgaria has given to the world a range of prominent musicians; among them are the world-renowned opera singers
Boris Christoff, Rayna Kabaivanska, Nikolaj Gyaurov, Nikola Gyzelev and many others.
DANCE
The Thracian and Danubian hora is a lively circle dance and is a traditional Bulgarian dance, performed at most celebrations.
The Nestinarski fire dance is a dance on burning embers, most popular in the Stranzha region.
The Kukeri dances usually take place in January - men in ancient costumes and grotesque masks drive away evil spirits with orgiastic dances.
Lazaruvane - Young girls, dressed up in folk costumes perform dances in honor of the coming spring on the day before Palm Sunday.
All the dances are rich examples of the diversity of the traditional Bulgarian dance. They can be seen, felt and experienced almost everywhere in the country, and the folk-style restaurants, together with the Bulgarian folk music, offer rich folklore performances, featuring the most popular of the Bulgarian dances and traditions.
CRAFTS
Real joys to the eyes are the woven rugs and cloths, the handmade lace, woodcarvings and ceramics, created by the skillful hands of the Bulgarian masters!
The designs and the colors of the cloth are region specific and look similar to those made in the mountain villages in the Himalayas region.
Fibers are usually natural; sometimes they are dyed with colors from herbs, berries and flowers.
The Bulgarian woven rugs are world-renown and can be compared to the rugs from Kashmir and Persia.
Villages in Stara Planina and Rhodopi are well known for the wooden carvings and ornaments.
Unique pottery is produced in Trojan and some other areas.
