"Let's Preserve the Bulgarian Spirit"

The ensemble has earned numerous international awards from competitions and festivals and has been honored with an honorary diploma titled "Guardians of Folklore Traditions in Dance Art" by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Currently, the ensemble consists of students, university graduates, and professionals from various fields. Its membership exceeds 200 dancers, divided into six age groups and one representative dance ensemble, which features the finest dancers who have graduated from the ensemble's school.

History of the Representative Folklore Dance Ensemble "Mezdra"

On July 17, 1947, in the small Bulgarian town of Mezdra, an idea was born within the “Prosveta” Cultural Center, under the leadership of Chairman Gano Hristov. The vision was for the railway town to have its own dance group. Workers from the “Bahava” factory joined the initiative, and the first steps were taken. Late into the evenings, Bulgarian folk rhythms filled the rehearsal hall as the pioneers of the ensemble prepared for their debut performance, which took place the same year.

On September 13, 1951, Tsolo Krachunov became the ensemble's first artistic director. He formed a group of 32 young men and women, focusing on choral music inspired by the Iskar region. His successors, Ivan Georgiev and Boyan Kolov, continued to develop the group.

The first costumes for the ensemble were created in 1961. The following year, 1962, marked a significant turning point under the leadership of Petar Mladenov, chairman of the community center at the time. Leaders Tsvetan Markovski and Pantalei Tomov introduced a shift from traditional folklore to stage-adapted dances.

In 1972, Pantaley Tomov became the artistic director and formed a high school ensemble. Over the years, the ensemble expanded its activities, incorporating dancers from different age groups. The dancers earned numerous awards, and the ensemble performed in countless concerts both locally and abroad, proudly representing Mezdra and Bulgaria on international stages in Scotland, Greece, Romania, France, Turkiye, and many other countries.

Mario Gergov and Miglena Vaklinova also contributed to the ensemble’s growth and success.

Since 2004, Miroslav Asparuhov has served as the artistic director of the Folklore Ensemble "Mezdra." Under his leadership, the ensemble has embraced a modern path while preserving traditional Bulgarian folklore. Its repertoire features dances from all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria, including works by renowned choreographers such as Prof. Kiril Dzhenev, Prof. Daniela Dzheneva, Ivan Todorov, Todor Bekirski, Todor Karapchanski, and Kiril Haralampiev. The ensemble's dedication, love for Bulgarian folk art, and accumulated experience continue to yield remarkable achievements.

Today, the ensemble consists of over 200 dancers, including students, pupils, and professionals, divided into six age groups and one representative dance ensemble featuring the most talented dancers from its school.

International Participations

Awards

Through its participation in national and international festivals, Folklore Ensemble Mezdra has become a proud representative of Bulgarian culture, bringing glory to its hometown of Mezdra. Since 2004, it has expanded its reach to the global stage, participating in over 100 international festivals across more than 40 European and Asian countries. The ensemble has achieved numerous first-place awards in Italy, Serbia, Turkiye, Greece, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, North Macedonia, Germany, Cyprus, and more.

One of the most prestigious international recognitions in the ensemble's 70-year history was achieving First Place among 24 countries from four continents at the International Folklore Festival Golden Karagöz in Bursa, Turkiye, in 2014.

The ensemble is also a four-time recipient of the Grand Prix for the Great Dance Award of Sofia (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). Additionally, it won the Gold Award at the National Sheep Breeders' Festival My Lost Lamb for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) and received an honorary diploma from the Ministry of Culture.

Folklore Ensemble Ensemble has earned several other accolades, including:
- Winner of "The Northwest Sings and Dances" Prize for two consecutive years.
- First Place at the competition festival Oro Se Vie, Tservuli Se Kinat in Parvomay.
- First Place at the Golden Dust competition in Chelopech.

In 2017, on its 70th anniversary, Folklore Ensemble Ensemble was honored with the National Award for Patriotism "Dyado Yotso" for its significant contributions to preserving, developing, and promoting Bulgarian folk dances.

First Place Among 24 Countries from 4 Continents, 2014

One of the most prestigious international recognitions for Folklore Ensemble Mezdra in its 70-year history was securing first place among 24 countries from four continents at the International Folklore Festival "Golden Karagöz" in Bursa, Turkiye, in 2014.

Winner of the "Dyado Yotso" Patriotism Award, 2017

In 2017, on the occasion of its 70th anniversary and in recognition of its efforts to preserve, develop, and popularize Bulgarian folk dances, Folklore Ensemble Mezdra was awarded the "Dyado Yotso" national patriotism award.

Four-time Grand Prix Winner of the Sofia Grand Dance Award

Folklore Ensemble Mezdra is a four-time winner of the Grand Prix at the Sofia Grand Dance Award (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016).

First Prize at the Fifth Edition of the National Sheep Breeders' Festival in 2016

The dancers from Mezdra won first prize at the Fifth National Folklore Competition "My Lamb Has Bleated," which took place during the festival from May 6-8, 2016, near the Petropavlovski Monastery.

First Prize at the National Folklore Competition "Oro Se Vie, Tsarvuli Se Kinat," Parvomay, 2016

The dancers from Mezdra won the prize in a competition with ensembles that have proven their excellence, including the "Bulgarani" Ensemble, "Sofia 6" Ensemble, "Actavis" Ensemble from Dupnitsa, "Shevitsa" Ensemble from Sofia, Nevgorop Ensemble, and "Nikola Vaptsarov" Ensemble from Sandanski. The total number of participants was 1,500. In addition to the winner's diploma, the Mezdra Ensemble also received the prize of 12 new folklore costumes.

Folklore Ensemble "Mezdra" won the special prize from the Association of Choreographers in Bulgaria at the inaugural edition of the National Competition "TOP 10 Bulgarian Dance Folklore"

The ensemble is among the TOP 10 best amateur ensembles in the country for 2023 and, at the final of the competition in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture (NDK), earned this prestigious award after a fierce competition with 14 other leading amateur dance groups and ensembles from across the country, selected for the final stage of the contest.

Concert on the Occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Folklore Ensemble "Mezdra", 2017

One of the most significant events for the Ensemble was the celebration of its 70th anniversary, which took place with a grand concert-performance in 2017. The performance featured more than 150 dancers, folk singers, and instrumentalists, who showcased the rich folk heritage from all the folklore regions of Bulgaria. On stage with the dancers of Ensemble "Mezdra" were the Folk Orchestra and Choir of Ensemble "Trakia," the Folk Choir at the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, as well as singers Iliya Lukov, Svetlin Milanov, Yuri Krumov, Valentina Dobreva, Darina Slavova, Lazar Keremedchiev (playing the kaba-gaida), and Temelko Ivanov (playing the kaval). The Women’s Folk Choir "Mezdra" and the men’s folklore group "Zmey Goryanin" from the village of Zverino also performed.
The preservation of Bulgarian folklore has been the mission of Ensemble Mezdra, the oldest dance group in the Vratsa region, throughout its entire history since its founding.

Shop Dance
Turkiye
2014

First place among 24 countries from 4 continents at the International Folklore Festival "Golden Garagioz" in Bursa, Turkiye, 2014.

"LET'S STAY RICH"

Their strength was in the root, in the traditions, in the folklore.
Protecting them became their mission.
They named themselves Ensemble Mezdra.

"​Let's Preserve the Bulgarian Spirit"