site.btaFolk Ensemble from Moldova's Colibabovca Village Receives Bulgarian Distinction

The Bulgari folk ensemble and representatives of the cultural centre in the village of Colibabovca in Leova Region in Moldova received a special award in the online edition of the internationl festival "From the Danube to the Balkan" held in the town of Borovo, North Bulgaria. According to village mayor Ivan Iskimji, the cultural centre applied to participate in the festival in mid-May.

People with walking difficulties from Belgium, the UK, North Macedonia, Moldova, Switzerland and Romania competed in the online festival.

"The jury of the festival highly appreciated the submitted works and stressed the importance of preserving traditions and culture outside the borders of Bulgaria," the mayor wrote on Facebook.

During a tour from September 19 to 22, a delegation from the village of Colibabovca visited Bulgaria, where the artists and employees of the town hall met with their colleagues from the municipality of Borovo, Ruse region. There they were awarded a gold medal for their contribution and preservation of Bulgarian traditions and culture, and received diplomas for their participation in the festival. The parties also discussed issues related to cooperation and mutual assistance.

The next stop on the route, according to the mayor, was the town of Brezovo, which this year celebrated 55 years since its foundation. At the invitation of Brezovo Mayor of Brezovo Kalin Kalapankov, the ensemble presented a 30-minute program on the big stage, together with the famous Vievska folk band.

"Once again, our artists received a diploma and a commemorative statue in a sign of gratitude to the participants and the employees of the town hall for the active participation and promotion of the village Colibobovca internationally.”

On the way back, the whole group was welcomed by the Mayor of Kaynardja (Northeast Bulgaria) Lyuben Sivev, who have them a warm welcome and presented them with valuable gifts, congratulating them on the awards they received," Ivan Iskimji added.

The Mayor of Colibobovca sincerely thanked "our Bulgarian brothers for their hospitality, the high trust and the invitation. The Bulgarian spirit is invincible!"

According to the 2004 census, the village of Colibobovca has 1,142 population, of whom 934 are ethnic Bulgarians, or 81.79%.