International Children's Dance Festival Tomorrow's Peace begins with today's friendship

LOCATION

The International Children's Dance Festival Tomorrow's Peace begins with Today's Friendship is held in the town of Silistra. There is a bus three times a day leaving from the Sofia Central Bus Station to Silistra, as well as a train three times a day from the Sofia Central Railway Station.

DESCRIPTION

The International Children's Dance Festival Tomorrow's Peace starts with Today's Friendship is a cultural event that takes place once a year in Silistra during the summer season. It is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Culture and is organized by the Municipality of Silistra, under the mayor’s patronage. The festival includes children from all continents.

HISTORY

The festival started in 1994 as the first International Children's Dance Festival in Bulgaria under the influential message: Tomorrow's peace begins with today's friendship. The founders include the chairman of the Association of Children's Adolescent Choreographers in Bulgaria, Agripina Voynova and the local Choreographer Yordan Filipov.

The event is not of competitive nature and gathers children from all continents who present the dance and folk traditions of their people. Along the festival concerts, a lot of other activities are organized for the participants, through which they get to know each other and make friends and find the meaning of the name of the festival. The most numerous participants are those from Balkan countries that share similar traditions and folklore.

[1]

Folklore is a power that unites a nation. The nation preserves its story, its beliefs, rituals and traditions, its image of the beautiful and the good, the soul of the nation. Bulgarian dance folklore reflects the lives of Bulgarians. Transmitted from generation to generation, it manages to preserve over the centuries and continue its reach. [2]

The music on the Balkans is formed by an extremely interesting interaction between Slavic traditions, pagan rituals, Greek influences and Ottoman intercessions. The dance “horo”, which is collective folk dance, is one of the most common types of dancing on these lands and has different varieties not only in different countries but also in different regions of these countries.

It is believed that the dance dates back to the time of the Thracians and was intended to unite the man with the cosmos. In the past, the dance has always played in a circle, with the singer or musician standing in the center. This dance is seen as a sign of unity, union, performed during holidays, so that people can merge their souls and become closer. That is why many people in these countries are performing this dance in a circle.[3]

For 21 years, the festival helps the exploration of the cultural traditions of different people while bringing together the participants and promoting dancing as an art form.

Different ensembles from different countries take part in the event. The local Silistra ones are:

- Ensemble "Dobrudja"

- Children's folk ensemble "Dobrudzhanche" from the Cultural Center "Dorostol - 1870"

- Children's Folk Dance Group "Grebentsi" from the "St. Cyril and St. Methodius" school.

- Axel Ballet from the United Children's Complex

- Ballet "B-2"

- "Lidens" ballet from the Cultural Center "Dorostol - 1870"

- "Elegance" Sports Dance Club

- Dance Center "Impression"[4]

There is a defilee of the teams at opening and closing, dance studio for each guest party, Miss and Mister Festival contest, disco, festival concerts are held. The children write their messages, which with balloons rise above Silistra.

SITE SIGNIFICANCE

The festival gathers children from all continents who present the dance and folk traditions of their people.

VISITOR INFORMATION

The International Children's Dance Festival Tomorrow's Peace begins with Today's Friendship is held once a year in the town of Silistra during the summer season. It is conducted in different time every year.

SITE CLASSIFICATION

Festival

[1] Rastko.rs<https://www.rastko.rs/rastko-bg/folklor/rivanova-balkan.php> (24.04.2018)

[2]   vitohoro.ansambalsofia6.com <http://www.vitohoro.ansambalsofia6.com/>(24.04.2018)

[3] Worldbg.eu<http://worldbg.eu/%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B1%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE-%D1%85%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE/> (24.04.2018)

[4] Facebook.com <https://www.facebook.com/events/1606464322898843/> (24.04.2018)