site.bta26th International Children's Dance Festival Opens in Silistra

The 26th edition of the International Children's Dance Festival opened with a dance concert in Silistra, on the Danube, on Monday. More than 450 children from seven countries are taking part in the festival.

The event is under the patronage of the Culture Ministry and Silistra Mayor Alexander Sabanov, who opened the festival. Accompanying events are planned as well, including a dance workshop, where participants will learn foreign dances from their friends from different countries.

The International Children's Dance Festival was founded in 1994 by Agrippina Voynova, Chair of the Association of Children and Youth Choreographers in Bulgaria and Silistra choreographer Yordan Filipov. In 2019, the festival became a member of the National Section for Bulgaria of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts. Dance ensembles from Europe, Asia, America and Africa have taken part in previous editions of the festival.

Five years ago the festival became a member of the National Section for Bulgaria of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts - CIOFF. The Council was established in 1970 and is an official partner of UNESCO, working to preserve, conserve and promote traditional culture and the intangible cultural heritage of peoples. CIOFF is represented in over 100 countries worldwide and coordinates more than 1,500 international folklore festivals.