The winners of the XVI Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore “Euro Folk” 2026 and the XI World Folklore Cup “Veliko Tarnovo 2026” were officially awarded during a ceremony held in Veliko Tarnovo.

The grand winner of the Bulgarian National Folklore Championship “Euro Folk” 2026 became the Children’s Dance Ensemble “Plamache” at Community Center “Boyan Penev – 1949”, led by Rostislav Borisov. The ensemble received the Gold Medal of the championship, the title “Absolute National Champion for 2026”, the “Golden Orpheus” award, and a cheque worth 500 euros provided by the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF).

Second place went to the Male Folklore Group “ARAMII” at Community Center “Budilnik – 1898” with artistic director Iliya Andonov. The distinction included a silver medal, the title “Absolute Vice-Champion for 2026”, and the “Silver Orpheus” award.

Third place was awarded to Quartet “Bistrichanka” at Community Center “Svetlina 1927”, led by Daniela Krumova. The ensemble received a bronze medal and the “Bronze Orpheus” award.

During the ceremony, the winners of the XI World Folklore Cup “Veliko Tarnovo 2026” were also announced.

The Grand Prize and Grand Prix of the forum were won by “TMC DANCERS at Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tuanku Muhriz, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan” from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, led by Muhammad Nazri Bin Lanibi. The winners received the Grand Cup of the forum, a diploma, and a voucher worth 500 euros for participation in the World Folk Championship “World Folk”.

Second place was awarded to Dance Ensemble “Favorit” at Community Center “Valcho Ruskovski – 1894” from Ugarchin, led by Detelin Petrov. The ensemble received a silver medal, cup, diploma, and a voucher worth 300 euros.

Third place went to Folklore Trio “Avliga” at Community Center “Peyo Kracholov Yavorov – 1978” from Dupnitsa, led by Rayna Hristova. The award included a bronze medal, cup, diploma, and a voucher worth 200 euros.

Special awards were also presented during the ceremony. The Special Award of Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, with Mayor Eng. Daniel Panov, was presented to the Authentic Folklore Ensemble “Totka Shandurkova” at Community Center “Gabrovo-2002”, led by Stefan Marinov.

The Special Award of the travel agency “Event Vacation” – partner of the festivals – was awarded to the Children’s Dance Ensemble “Radost” at the Center for Personal Development Support – Vratsa, led by Genoveva Spasova, for contribution to the preservation and promotion of Bulgarian folklore.

The organizers also expressed gratitude to the Bulgarian family brand “INA essentials”, which provided gift sets of natural cosmetics for the leaders of the awarded ensembles.

After the award ceremony, the XXIX Balkan Folk Festival, the XVI Bulgarian National Folklore Championship “Euro Folk”, and the XI World Folklore Cup “Veliko Tarnovo 2026” were officially closed. The music forums were officially closed by the President of the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF), Kaloyan Nikolov.

From May 7 to 11, Veliko Tarnovo hosted the three prestigious forums, bringing together more than 100 folklore ensembles from Bulgaria and Malaysia and over 1,300 performers – singers, dancers, and musicians.

The accompanying program included a participants’ parade, a concert by the Professional Folklore Ensemble “Zagore”, a flower-laying ceremony at the monument of Iliyan Nikolov, and the exhibition “Living Human Treasures – Bulgaria”.

The forums were held under the auspices of the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF) with the support of Veliko Tarnovo Municipality.