The first nominees for Grand prix in the VII Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore “Euro folk” and the World Cup of Folklore “Veliko Tarnovo” became clear. After the first three contest days, which were conducted simultaneously with the XX Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk” in the old capital, the professional jury praised the best nominees for the Big prizes in both contests - Golden “Orpheus” and a Cup.

From the guests – international individual performers and groups, Mila Rozhkova from Russia and Choir and orchestra Shiraz from Iran presented excellent performances on the stage so far.

Hosts from Bulgaria defended worthily themselves with performances of their cultural and national identity, which brought to some of the groups and individual performers nominations for the prizes. Until now, 4 nominations are granted for the Grand Prix Golden “Orpheus”. The winner will receive the title Absolute national champion and the check of 1000 leva, provided by the organizers.

Four are the nominations for the Big award in the World Cup of Folklore “Veliko Tarnovo 2016”. The nominees will compete for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place. The winners will receive vouchers for 1000, 500 and 300 Euro which can be used for participation in the World Championship of Folklore which will be held in the summer 2016 in Bulgarian Black sea coast.

Official start of the XX Stara planina Fest “Balkan Folk” was held on Saturday (14^th of May) – there were parade on the main street Vasil Levski and short performances of participants in front the Monument of Maika Bulgaria in Veliko Tarnovo. The actual opening was on the stage of the Summer Theatre. It was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo – Mr. Gancho Karabadjakov and the President of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov.

Among the guests of the official evening was Mr. Mohammad Ali Kiani, councilor of cultural issues of the Iranian Cultural Centre at the Embassy of Iran in Bulgaria. He came especially to support the participation of Choir and Orchestra from Shiraz, Iran.

Mr. Karabadzhakov and Mr. Nikolov welcomed the initiators, organizers and participants in the significant event, wishing them to keep the nation memory by the noble work bequeathed by Ilian Nikolov to the entire Bulgarian nation and the entire global community, and to never forget his words:

“Behind us is the memory of our fathers, in front of us are the eyes of our children!”

The contest program continues in this week.

LYUDMILA (MILA) ROZHKOVA - RUSSIA

Lyudmila Vladimirovna Rozhkova was born on March 4, 1970 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. She graduated "M. Balakirev" School of Musi and "Glinka" State Conservatory in Nizhny Novgorod. She has diploma for classical guitar concert performer. She starts writing music and songs of 14. During 1986-97 she performed the first rock festivals "Rock Marathon". In 2010, Milla creates the folk-rock band "Rock from Mila Rozhkova", which has participated in regional ethnographic and rock festivals. The group wins first place at Festival of acoustic rock"Summer acoustic 2011" which was held in Nizhny Novgorod. In 2013 Mila creates her own recording studio and prepares solo vocal program with guitar and copyright holders. He records her first album Zakoldovannaye oblaka (Enchanted clouds) in 2014 in her recording studio. Currently Mila has performances in Moscow clubs with a solo program and participated in concerts and show-band Bozhyya korovka.

"SHIRAZ" CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA - IRAN

"Shiraz" Choir and Orchestra  was established in 2009 by Ehsan Salari - composer and conductor. The group is still active because of their passion, hope and tenacity. The main objective of the performers is the promotion of culture, music and pride of Iran. Among the awards that the formation received, is their ranking in the third, fifth and seventh Festival of classical music; the National festival of music schools and prize for best music in Estill theaters. They have participated in numerous festivals and competitions. "Shiraz" choir and Orchestra performs songs from different times and eras, recreating time and emotions folk songs for different events and ceremonies (such as marriage proposal and wedding ceremony).