3rd International Folk Festival
With the songs of the Bisserov Sisters

19th July 2008 - Village Pirin, Pirin Mountains, SW Bulgaria 
20th July 2008 - Sandanski, SW Bulgaria

Photos from the 3rd International Folk Festival

Guests:

iMusicalia, Italy

Following the sensational appearances of Amerigo and Marcello Ciervo and their group Musicalia at the First International Festival, we were honoured they returned for our Third Festival  to entertain audiences with their ecstatic rhythms and dynamic performances.

Miss Hiroko Doi, Japan

We were delighted that Festival regular, Hiroko Doi from Osaka, once again agreed to attend our Festival and enchanted audiences with her virstuoso Koto playing and traditional Japanese folk songs; not to mention her stunning traditional costume.  And this year she was accompanied by vocalist Mr. Ohtani.

Pekel, The Netherlands

A quartet of singer/musicians whose repertoire reflects the many influences to have reached The Netherlands over the years.  Combining a mix of traditional songs with new ballads, their virtuosity on a range of instruments including bagpipes, jews harp and accordion enthralled the audience.

Ged & Andrew, UK

Traditional English acoustic folk duo who made their Bulgarian debut at the Festival.  Performing together for many years, these singer/guitarists had an extensive repertoire of traditional English folk songs telling of love, life and the countryside; themes very familiar to our International audience.

Christoffer von Bonsdorf, Finland

Christoffer is an accomplished accordion player who has a passion for Bulgarian folk music.  He is a regular visitor to Bulgaria and we were pleased he entertained us at the Festival.

Bob & Roy Gough, UK

Bob demonstrated the varied sounds of the Aboriginal Yidaki or Didgeridoo together with his father, Roy, provided traditional 'music stick' accompaniment.  

and the best Traditional Bulgarian musicians, singers and folk groups from the Regions of Bulgaria, featured: 

Nadka Karadjova - Soloist
Folk group - Veselina
Folk group - Zurna group from Kavrakirovo
Folk Ensemble Bankia
Folk group - Kukeri from Stoletovo Karlovsko
Brothers Mitevi 
Mens Folk group from Village Sklave
Folk group from Village Pirin
Folkloren  Orkestar 

and, of course, the Trio Bisserov Sisters and Family orchestra!

Sandanski  Town - Friday 18th July
The Bisserov Sisters 30th Anniversary Concert

The Sisters gave a pre-Festival concert to celebrate their 30 years of performing together.

19.45 - Parade from the Square Bulgaria to the Summer Theatre
20.30 - 30th Jubilee Concert of the Bisserov Sisters at the Summer Theatre

Village Pirin - Saturday 19th July

10.00 - Arrive in Village Pirin
10.00 - 10.30  Parade around the Village
10.30 - 11.00  Travel to the Monastery Sveta Troitsa
11.00 - 12.30  Open air live Concert
13.30 - 15.30  Dancing with Zurna group from Kavrakirovo

Square Bulgaria, Sandanski -  Sunday 20th July

19.30 - 20.15  Folk Ensemble 'Bankia' from Sofia
20.15 - 20.25  Folk Group 'Pekel'
20.25 - 21.00  Bob & Roy Gough - Didgeridoo
21.00 - 21.15  Folk Duo - 'Ged & Andrew'
21.15 - 21.30  Miss Hiroko Doi & Mr Ohtani
21.30 - 21.40  Christoffer von Bonsdorf - Accordion
21.40 - 22.20  Musicalia from Italy
22.30 - Finish