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Fri, Feb 10 2012
Cop that in Koprivshtitsa
Photo: Patrice Perdrisot
Photo: Patrice Perdrisot
Photo: Patrice Perdrisot
One of the most beautiful revival-era towns in Bulgaria, Koprivshtitsa, hosted the 10th national festival of Bulgarian Folklore, which is held every five years, over three days between August 6 and 8.
The festival, organised by the Ministry of Culture, filled seven stages outside the town centre, drawing many visitors from Bulgaria and beyond.
Featured at the festival were kukeri – traditional masked and costumed men who ward off evil spirits – with performers ranging from toddlers through to pensioners. Performances took place on the central stage; the concerts were divided by region and a jury of professionals appraised the dancers.
A particular highlight came on the evening of August 7 when nestinari (who perform a traditional barefoot dance on burning embers) entertained the crowd on the 20 April central square – including nestinari dancer Nikolay Topchiiski and his daughter.
Revival-era glory
Koprivshtitsa, about 110km east of Sofia in the heart of the countryside, is an all-year round attraction for the discriminating visitor with many museums that celebrate heroes of the uprising. Indeed much of the town commemorates the events of 1876. A bridge over a small stream in the village, for example, is considered the place where the first shot was fired in the conflict.
The most impressive feature of the town lies in its Revival-era houses. These include Lyutov House, a unique monument with furnishings typical of an opulent mansion dating from the mid-19th century. Built in 1854 and subsequently sold to Petko Lyutov, an itinerant merchant, the house has beautiful architecture and rich mural decorations.
Perhaps Koprivshtitsa’s most moving site, however – the Debelyanov house – dates not from the 19th century but from the 20th. The house of talented poet Dimcho Debelyanov is celebrated by a statue to his mother who received his letters when he was a soldier in World War 1 and then awaited his return from the front. Sadly, Debelyanov was killed in the war. His mother’s forlorn gaze – as if surveying the distant horizon – overlooks his grave.
The town is well worth a visit at any time of year. This is the authentic Bulgaria, far removed from tourist attractions.
- Vera Genova contributed to this report.
The festival, organised by the Ministry of Culture, filled seven stages outside the town centre, drawing many visitors from Bulgaria and beyond.
Featured at the festival were kukeri – traditional masked and costumed men who ward off evil spirits – with performers ranging from toddlers through to pensioners. Performances took place on the central stage; the concerts were divided by region and a jury of professionals appraised the dancers.
A particular highlight came on the evening of August 7 when nestinari (who perform a traditional barefoot dance on burning embers) entertained the crowd on the 20 April central square – including nestinari dancer Nikolay Topchiiski and his daughter.
Revival-era glory
Koprivshtitsa, about 110km east of Sofia in the heart of the countryside, is an all-year round attraction for the discriminating visitor with many museums that celebrate heroes of the uprising. Indeed much of the town commemorates the events of 1876. A bridge over a small stream in the village, for example, is considered the place where the first shot was fired in the conflict.
The most impressive feature of the town lies in its Revival-era houses. These include Lyutov House, a unique monument with furnishings typical of an opulent mansion dating from the mid-19th century. Built in 1854 and subsequently sold to Petko Lyutov, an itinerant merchant, the house has beautiful architecture and rich mural decorations.
Perhaps Koprivshtitsa’s most moving site, however – the Debelyanov house – dates not from the 19th century but from the 20th. The house of talented poet Dimcho Debelyanov is celebrated by a statue to his mother who received his letters when he was a soldier in World War 1 and then awaited his return from the front. Sadly, Debelyanov was killed in the war. His mother’s forlorn gaze – as if surveying the distant horizon – overlooks his grave.
The town is well worth a visit at any time of year. This is the authentic Bulgaria, far removed from tourist attractions.
- Vera Genova contributed to this report.
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Dances with Kukeri: Gallery
Pernik in Bulgaria saw the annual Surva festival of Kukeri (Mummers), with thousands of participants from at home and abroad.
War and remembrance
Koprivshtitsa provides an alternative to mass tourism - a quiet enclave with Revival Period architecture and monuments to Bulgaria’s fallen heroes
International Folklore Festival in Sofia
Concerts to begin at National Palace of Culture (NDK) at 7.30pm and in Bankya at 6pm on July 17.
A summer folk festival in Sofia
The Bulgarian chapter of Unesco's Conseil International des Organisations de Festivals de Folklore et d'Arts Traditionnels and Sofia municipality have organised a folk festival, entitled International Folk Festival Sofia 2008, to take place from July 22 to 26. In the park area in front of NDK (National Palace of Culture), more than 20 folk ensembles from 17 countries will give 45 concerts over the six days of the event, mc.government.bg said. It is hoped that it will give some cultural excitement to Sofia at the height of summer, a period when most happenings move to the Black Sea coast.
READING ROOM: Turning point and tragedy
Cannons made of cherry tree wood and the chill spectacle of a cluster of skulls and bones in a church may be the most prominent symbols of Bulgaria's 1876 April Uprising. While the uprising itself failed because of poor co-ordination by the rebels and a relentless and ruthless backlash by the Ottoman authorities, then in their fifth century of rule over Bulgaria, the very brutality of the suppression of the revolt got international attention and was a contributing factor to the Russo-Turkish War in 1877/78 that opened the way for Bulgaria's liberation.
TIME FOR TRAVEL: Koprivshtitsa from a different angle
If you go to Koprivshtitsa by train, it is essential that you get off at the right station. Something a group of friends and I were about to fail to achieve. Yet, bearing in mind that we got on the train in Sofia at 7am, our behavour was reasonably adequate. Because Koprivshtitsa is in a mountainous area, a van takes train passengers to the town. The ride, lasting 15 to 20 minutes, can be quite an adventure because the driver
EXPLORER!Villages: A slice of history
You don't need to be familiar with Bulgarian history to enjoy Koprivshtitsa. Trouping up and down hills, walking along tight cobblestone streets and gazing at the red-tiled roofs on the village's green slopes are welcome diversions for any expat who's grown tired of city life. But even a cursory knowledge of the April Uprising of 1876 magnifies Koprivshtitsa's charm.
People in history - A leader and a builder
PETKO Karavelov was one of the first prime ministers of Bulgaria after the Russian-Turkish liberation war of 1877-1878.
Saint George Hotel and Tavern, 14, Tomangelova Cheta Street, Koprivshtitsa
Tel. (0718) 42393
Once you've got your tongue around the name of this enchanting town, and spent some time exploring the perfectly preserved houses of the wealthy revolutionaries who died young attempting to free Bulgaria from Turkish rule, you should be ready to settle down to some well deserved nourishment.
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