Folklore regions in Bulgaria

Bulgarian music is a part of Bulgarian culture and Balkan music. It has specific, different sound. Bulgarian music is popular all over the world. There are six folklore regions- Dobrudja ,Thrace ,Pirin ,Sofia region- Shopluk, the Rhodopes and North Bulgaria- Moesia.

The first folklore region is Dobrudja region which covers the northeastern part of Bulgaria.

Dobrudja region:Two folklore styles that are most typical

in this region are Trakiyski and Balkandjiyski. One of the peculiarities of this region is the song associated with harvest time. A specific feature of the Dobrudja region is the creation of a new, typical only for this area instrumental style,performed by playing the gadulka,kaval and gayda. Dobrudja region is famous for the dance melodies such as “ruka”, “sboreni”, “ruchenitsa” and the most popular folk dances are “Ruka” , “Dantes”, “Paydushko”.

This is Dobrudjanski national costume.

The second folklore region whose music is similar to the folk music in Dobrudja is the Moesia region.

Moesia region-Northern Bulgaria:The Moesia region- here in Northern Bulgaria,

folk music is also a mix of the folk of the other regions. Only in this region in Bulgaria can we find the wealthiest collection of folk dances, accompanied by musical instruments. Old- time local, rich rhythms are played together with assimilated from the neighbours melodies. Typical for this region are old wedding songs and original songs associated with harvest. Therefore the folk music and especially dances of this region have many varieties ,with very complicated steps, temperamental and brisk. (Sitno Vlasko horo)

This is Moesia national costume.

Pirin mountain is very beautiful.

Pirin region:The third area is Pirin region. The Pirin folk

songs are varied in style, because there were great migrations in these areas in the past, but here we can find all kinds of songs characteristic of Bulgaria culture there.The most popular and famous folk songs of this region are the songs associated with harvest and harvest festivals. These songs are also associated with bantering and are extremely playful and full of joy, humor and wit. A typical folk dance in this region is the so called ”Macedonian horo”. The most famous song is “Macedonian little girl”.

This is Pirin national costume.

The Rhodopes region:Next region is the Rhodopes area. The songs

are slow, full of pain and sorrow, full of sensuality and mysticism. The folk songs in this region are performed by both men and women. Wedding songs are considered the most emotional ones. Only a few musical instruments are used in the Rhodopes region-kaba gayda, tambura and kaval. The existence of copper shepherd’s bells, called chanove, whose ringing resembles the delicate melody, is also characteristic for this region also. The Rhodopes horos are danced gracefully, widely and with emphasized steady steps. One of the most famous songs in Bulgaria and all over the world is “Izlel e Delio haidutin” by Valia Balkanska.

Rhodopi mountain.

Rhodope national costume.

Thracian region:This region is regarded as one of the

largest folklore regions in Bulgaria. Beautiful, peaceful, rich in variety are Thracian songs. The songs are powerful, natural and open. Most typical for this region are Christmas carols. The Christmas songs in this area are full of joy and happiness. The ancient ritual “fire-dancing”- dancing on the live coals during St. Konstantin and Elena celebration has been preserved in Strandja.

Thracian national costume

Sofia region: In temper, behavior and language, as well as in

customs the “shopi”- people who live in Sofia region are quite different from the people in the other regions in Bulgaria. The folk songs of Sofia region include different styles: old-time songs, songs associated with social gatherings, harvest. Most variable and rich in structure are the songs with emotional text. Sofia region is full with rich ornaments and melodic fragments in songs. The “shopi” dance is light, lively and it looks as if the dancers are not touching the ground. Shop’s folk dance don’t have an equivalent in the country. There are most brisk and temperamental dances that could be seen on the whole Balkan Peninsula. They start in slow tempo. Dancers cry out “ Hold on, Earth, shop is treading on you”….

Shopski national costume.

This are Bulgarian folklore regions.

Beautiful, different and interesting is our country Bulgaria.

The End………..