Folklore Groups, Wrestlers from Turkiye and Bulgaria Participate in Edirne’s Balkan Folklo

The third Balkan Folklore Festival has opened in the Turkish city of Edirne. It is organized by Varna’s Tourism Chamber, NGOs from Varna and Edirne and Bulgaria’s General Consulate in Edirne.

Some 600 performers from 37 folklore groups from Bulgaria and Turkiye are taking part in the festival, according to the organizers.

During the opening ceremony participants marched in the centre of Edirne with the national flags of Bulgaria and Turkiye.

“The motto of our festival is “Speak less, dance more”. Let’s do that and enjoy ourselves”, said Edirne Vice Mayor Hakan Iscan.  

On the first day of the festival vocal and dance groups from Bulgaria performed in traditional costumes. The audience sang and danced along.  

The festival continues on Sunday with performances of folklore groups from Turkiye and Bulgaria.

Within the Third Balkan Festival an oil wrestling tournament, part of UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, is held. Known under the name Kirkpinar, the oil wrestling tournament is considered the oldest mass sport event for unprofessional wrestlers from the time of the Ottoman empire. This year the tournament will be held for 662nd time. Wrestlers rub their bodies with olive oil. 

The tournament is held in the open at the Edirne’s Sarayici Stadium. The tournament begins early in the morning and continues until the evening. The winner receives a golden belt. 

Thousands of visitors from Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece and other countries have come to Edirne for the festival and hotels are fully booked.