site.btaTwin Towns & Friends Festival Kicks Off in Lovech

Traditions, art, music and cuisine from various countries come together at the Twin Towns & Friends Festival in Lovech. The event aims to bring together representatives from Lovech (Bulgaria), Laval (France), Erfurt (Germany), San Benedetto del Tronto (Italy) and Kalisz (Poland). During the three-day celebration, concerts, exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and stalls offering traditional food and drink from the five countries are scheduled.

The official opening of the festival's second edition on Saturday was led by Lovech Mayor Stratsimir Petkov.

“Our cities share many similarities. Kalisz, Erfurt and Laval all have rivers, bridges and fortresses. Only San Benedetto del Tronto has the sea. Our common features unite us under one value: friendship. That is the core idea of this celebration,” said the mayor in his welcoming speech.

The festival was initiated by Petkov himself, who explained that it began as a boutique family event, but has since evolved into an international celebration, which he is extremely proud of. According to him, through this festival of friendship, Lovech seeks to strengthen its European ties with the other towns and countries.

“In these turbulent times, it shows where we stand – we strive for peace, friendship, mutual understanding, and cultural, economic and youth exchange. Here, we are first friends, then twin towns, then Europeans, and finally – human beings,” Petkov added.

He also pointed out that this is the only twin towns festival in Bulgaria, making Lovech a role model for how Europe should progress hand in hand through cultural, tourism and economic cooperation.

Anne-Charlotte Montin, First Counsellor at the Embassy of France in Bulgaria, also addressed the guests. “Good afternoon, Lovech!” she said in Bulgarian, and before her welcoming words, gave a cheerful “Bravo!” to the Lovech Municipal Wind Orchestra, whose performance set the celebratory tone.

“I have the opportunity to witness first-hand how, during these three festival days, Lovech becomes the beating heart of a Europe that shares culture, food, and art,” said Montin.

Further greetings were delivered by Christine Drogué, Deputy Mayor of Laval, and Patrick Mousset, President of the “Trust – Bulgaria” association, among others.

Throughout the three-day festival, educational and entertaining games are available for children. Earlier on Saturday, the youngest visitors enjoyed the puppet theatre performance The Priceless Gem. In the coming two days, dance troupes from the French city will present musical-artistic performances, one of which will be held jointly with the Lovech-based Magia Dance Ensemble.