Attending the event are Deputy Minister of Culture Zornitza Grekova, Smolyan Regional Governor Georgi Pepelanov, and Smolyan Deputy Mayor Mariana Tsekova.
“With every note they play, our bagpipers remind us of our proud history and why we should take pride in being Bulgarians – one of Europe’s oldest nations and peoples. The bagpipe is not only Bulgaria’s emblematic instrument; it has also become our messenger to the cosmos,” Iotova said. She noted that “next year will mark 50 years since Valya Balkanska’s otherworldly voice and the extraordinary Bulgarian bagpiper Georgi Musorliev sent their message to distant civilizations, carrying Bulgarian song, Bulgarian music, and the Bulgarian spirit” into space. “Somewhere in the silence of the universe today, the sound of the Bulgarian bagpipe and Valya Balkanska’s voice can still be heard. What greater recognition could there be for our country, our talent, and the Bulgarian people?” she said. According to Iotova, the gathering in Gela is one of the places where Bulgarian families come together, including many whose members are now scattered across the world. “They come here to remember their family heritage, the legends and traditions of their ancestors, and to pass them on to their children,” she added. Iotova also spoke of her dream “to awaken Bulgaria.” “Just as the bagpipes awakened the Rhodopes today, I hope Bulgaria will awaken as well—that all of us will awaken, join hands, and build the future our children and future generations are waiting for, so that our nation may endure, remain strong, and our homeland may thrive,” she said.
The traditional gathering in Gela celebrates one of the defining symbols of Rhodope music – the kaba bagpipe. Once again, the Ilinden Meadows above the village have become a stage for Bulgarian folklore. Bagpipers from across Bulgaria and abroad are taking part in the competition. Thousands of visitors from around the country, as well as Bulgarians living abroad, have travelled to the Rhodope village for the festival, which runs through August 2. The musical programme began at the Ilinden Meadows on Friday, while Saturday’s highlight is the bagpipe competition. Throughout the three-day event, audiences can enjoy a rich folklore programme featuring the Rhodopa Folk Ensemble, the 101 Kaba Bagpipes Orchestra, singer Svetla Dukateva, the Orpheus and Karadzhata bagpipe ensembles, and the Pamporovo Orchestra, among others.
More than 70 performers playing the djura and kaba bagpipes will take part in the competition. For the second consecutive year, the Dafo Trendafilov Award will be presented in memory of the legendary Rhodope bagpiper from Gela. Most competitors will perform on the kaba bagpipe. Performances will be judged by a panel chaired by Professor Milcho Vasilev.
The event also features an extensive exhibition of Bulgarian producers and master artisans. Farmers and artisans from different regions of the country will present traditional Bulgarian products.
For the first time, the exhibition in Gela will feature “Farmers’ Cheese” – the first cooperative dairy product created by more than 450 Bulgarian sheep and goat farmers.
