Festivals

The Bridge – More than 200 of talented young people from the country and abroad (namely Russia and USA) take part in the international Youth Arts Festival „The Bridge”. Festival is carried out each July in town of Vidin, near „Baba Vida” castle. Producers of this festival are Good Music Society and AJABEZ. Vidin municipality and „National network for children” are the partners of the event, which is held under the patronage of the Mayor of town of Vidin. Key to the success of the festival is the participation of talented young people from the very Vidin. They are included as equal participants in all workshops and activities of the festival. In festival days young people are gathered in working groups are involved in 19 workshops in the fields of arts: music (guitar, drums, singing, keyboards, composing), free run, beat box, fine arts (graphics, landscape, applied arts), photography, dance, creative writing, theater and other. In the last two days of the festival Vidin becomes the scene of a series of events - concerts with original music of the participants: exhibitions (paintings, photographs, and souvenirs), dancing, plays, and combinations between the Arts. Within these events, the results of the working groups are presented. Visitors can purchase from any exposed materials. The funds raised are donated to support the charitable causes chosen by the Municipality of Vidin. The festival focuses (public and media) to Vidin as an interesting destination and plays a role to upgrade the positive national and international image of the town.

International folklore festival ''Dances along the Danube'' town Vidin. The festival is organized since 1997 on every two years by Vidin Community Center "Tsvyat” with the help of Vidin Municipality. It is held under the patronage of the Mayor of Vidin. The festival is held every odd year in early July. Traditionally, in the festival take part groups from different countries such as Poland, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria and others, as the number of participants grows each year and exceeds the number of 200. During the official opening participants march through the town’s center, presenting traditional costumes and gathers at the open stage for gala concert.

International folklore festival of Wallachian and Romanian song and dance – is taking place in Vidin. The event is organized by the Association of the Wallachians in Bulgaria with partnership of Vidin Municipality. Folklore ensembles from Serbia and Romania take part in this festival, as well as formations from community centers from region of Vidin and town of Belene. The event is held in „Nora Pizanti” park under the patronage of the Mayor of Vidin. The festival is carried out during one of the chosen months for the relevant year August, September or October, for two or three days. Preservations of the traditions, folklore, songs and dances of the Wallachians living in Bulgaria, Serbia and Moldova make part of the preservation of the European cultural values.

„International fair on Kada Boaz passage” – it is held near the villages of Salash and the Serbian Novo korito. The fair includes a rich cultural program, which includes distinguished representatives of folklore on both sides: brass, singing and dance. There are also culinary exhibition with the participation of representatives from the villages Stakevtsi, Krachimir and Salash with typical dishes from the Tourlak kitchen, ethnographic exhibition and mini football tournament. All participants in the initiative are awarded certificates and on for those, taking part in the sports event - cups and medals for top 3 teams. The fair of Kada Boaz takes place since 1925, but several times it was interrupted by the authorities. Even Romans discovered and used this nice place to live. Today, wherever people hit with the pick, pieces of bricks and pottery are coming out from the Roman times. Through the passage Kada Boaz passed the Roman road from the ports on the Danube to Nish and Western Europe. In the area Anishte archaeologists discovered the foundations of a Roman road station and excavations still continue. There was Border crossing in the passage since old times, but in 1960 was closed, there were passing through relatives from both sides of the border. Young people went to evening parties in the Serbian village of Novo korito, amateurs from Salash played theater in the hall of the nearby village behind the furrow. They got married, and now in both villages there are people berthed across the border. They are old, some are not alive, but their children know their relatives across.

Ethno-festival for songs and dances with international participation Belogradchik is singing and dancing''. In September, in Belogradchik is held the Ethno-festival for songs and dances with international participation – „Belogradchik is dancing and singing”. The motto of the festival is: „Do not hate!”, „Say no to racism!”, Say YES to the ethnical tolerance!” Besides groups from Vidin, there take part also folklore groups from Republic of Romania, Sofia, Kardzhali, Vratsa, Montana, Botevgrad and other towns from the country. The festival is held under the patronage of the Mayor of Belogradchik and the main organizers are the Belogradchik Municipality, Cultural Centre FILCHEV, Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. One of the aims of the festival is to preserve and unite the different cultural traditions of the various people and national communities - one of the foundations of the philosophy of a united Europe. "Unity is, through mutual respect and tolerance these can be preserved for future generations. And the truth is that the Vidin region offers an exceptional variety of local cultures”.

''From Timok to Iskar – in the footsteps of the Thracians'' town of Belogradchik. In mid-September, for 2-3 days are held folk festivals - "From Timok to Iskar". The beginning of the Thracian evening is fitted by a procession with traditional Thracian costumes and torches. There are recreated performances such as "Orpheus" and "Stone Wedding" and also "The legend of the goddess Bendis". The first day of the festival has always been dedicated to the Thracian theme and obligatory includes reproduction of the legends of the mythology of the Thracians and torchlight procession of young people in the central streets of the town. The following days of the festival continues with performances of folk songs and dances from Belogradchik and the region. The idea for the festival was conceived in 1965, when it was built summer theater "Gabite" (the Mushrooms). Three years later, in 1968 was held the first international fair "From Timok to Iskar". In this festival Bulgaria is presented by Belogradchik in 2008 on the "EDEN" on the competition in Bordeaux, France.

Folklore fair ''Budniк'' town Vidin - on the eve of one of the largest church and family celebrations – Christmas, in Vidin Municipality is carrying out the Folk Festival "Budnik". Folk Festival "Budnik" and culinary exhibition of dishes for Christmas Eve together with all community centers of the settlements organized by Vidin Municipality. Within the folk festival "Budnik" residents of Vidin and visitors can enjoy the performances of the amateur groups from community centers. In the rich culinary exhibition are presented over 100 traditional for Christmas Eve table dishes that all guests will taste the feast. In the exhibition are presented dishes like stuffed peppers, vegetarian stuffed vine leaves, hotchpotch, pumpkin pie with grapes and others. All that can be seen during the holiday shows that the rich folklore of the Vidin region is preserved and that there is room for it in the dynamic weekday. It is held in the lobby of the State Philharmonic Orchestra and is organized by the Municipality of Vidin, together with all the community centers of the settlements of the municipality.