site.btaPrison Staff Folklore Festival Takes Place in Sliven

More than 100 prison guards, social workers and psychologists from nine penitentiary facilities took part in a folklore festival of prison staff in Sliven, the Justice Ministry said in a press release. This year's edition of the event was dedicated to the 145th anniversary of the establishment of the penitentiary system in Bulgaria.

Addressing the event, caretaker Justice Minister Mariya Pavlova said that such initiatives, which enable employees of the Directorate General for Execution of Penalties to engage in campaigns promoting cultural and sporting activities, limit the negative effects of the impact of the working environment and motivate the staff.

The folklore festival was divided into five categories. It included presentations of authentic folk costumes, as well as dance and song performances.

The forum was attended by the heads of the prisons in Pleven, Belene, Stara Zagora, Pazardzhik and Lovech, as well as the leadership of the Directorate General for Execution of Penalties. Guests of the event were also Sliven Mayor Stefan Radev, Dimitar Velichkov - Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Sliven, among other officials.