The Easter holidays are approaching – a time that inspires us to rediscover our faith in goodness, hope and miracles. Even in the modern times in which we live, the traditional elements associated with the holiday have been preserved to a large extent – eggs are dyed on Thursday or Saturday, there is kozunak and lamb on the table, going to church on the night before Resurrection, and not to work on the Easter holidays.
And this year, the Municipality of Plovdiv has prepared various initiatives for the holidays – various concerts and Easter workshops for writing on eggs.
The culmination of the festive program is on May 6when a unique concert will take place for the first time in Bulgaria at Stefan Stambolov Square from 5:00 p.m. “Him, Her and the Accordion” with the participation of two amazing accordionists Veronika Todorova and Kaloyan Kumanov. Together with them, the legendary Svetlin Staykov – guitar, Alexander Lekov – bass guitar, Miroslav Turiyski – piano, Nacho Gospodinov – drums and a string quartet consisting of: Stiliyan Dermendzhiev, Teodor Dobrev, Petya Kavalova, Anet Artinyan will take the stage. The date was not chosen by chance, because then the World Accordion Day is also celebrated – May 6. Entrance is free!
PROGRAM
April 30, 2024, Tuesday
7:00 p.m. GHG – Plovdiv, Icon Gallery, 22 “Saborna” St.
Easter concert of “Evmolpeia” Girls’ Choir Formation
May 2, 2024, Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Stefan Stambolov Square
Easter creative workshop for children, with the participation of students and teachers from the National High School for Stage and Screen Arts, Plovdiv and graduates of the Plovdiv Theological Seminary “St. Cyril and Methodius”.
For another year, the Municipality of Plovdiv and NGSEI – Plovdiv present joyful Easter entertainment to the children of Plovdiv. On Maundy Thursday and Maundy Saturday, when eggs are painted, there will be “Easter creative workshops for children” in front of the municipality building. Anyone can decorate Easter eggs of their own design, which they can then take home, and the talented alumni of NGSEI will help, assist and encourage them. Decorative Styrofoam eggs, eco-friendly water-soluble decorating paints and brushes are provided. Graduates of the Plovdiv Theological Seminary “St. Cyril and Methodius” will tell the children about the essence and meaning of the biggest Christian holiday, which lights up our homes and its symbols every year. The lawns in front of the Municipality of Plovdiv have already been decorated with large, beautifully painted eggs, the work of students from the “Tsanko Lavrenov” NHG and NGSEI. Some of them were renewed by the young talents from the 10A class of NGSEI, specialty “Decor”, with teacher Dimitar Kirkelanov.
May 4, 2024, Saturday
11:00 – 13:00 Stefan Stambolov Square
Easter creative workshop for children, with the participation of students and teachers from the National High School for Stage and Screen Arts, Plovdiv and graduates of the Plovdiv Theological Seminary “St. Cyril and Methodius”
May 5, 2024, Sunday
11:00 a.m. Stefan Stambolov Square
Concert “Easter Miracles in the Land of Talents” with participants from the show “Asia in the Land of Talents”
Dance studio concert at SKIS “Nemezida” Plovdiv with director and choreographer Mariana Daneva.
17:00 Stefan Stambolov Square
Concert of Big Band Plovdiv and soloists, conductor Nikolay Geshev
May 6, 2024, Monday
12:00 p.m. Stefan Stambolov Square
Concert of Representative Ensemble “Maritsa” at SU “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” with artistic director Boyan Alexiev
17:00 Stefan Stambolov Square
Concert “He, She and the Accordion”
Featuring:
Accordion: Veronika Todorova
Accordion: Kaloyan Kumanov
Guitar: Svetlin Staykov
Bass guitar: Alexander Lekov
Piano: Miroslav Turiyski
Drums: Nacho Gospodinov
String Quartet: Stiliyan Dermendzhiev, Teodor Dobrev, Petya Kavalova, Annette Artinyan
The concert “He, She and the Accordion” with the participation of outstanding musicians will be presented for the first time in public, and precisely on World Accordion Day – May 6. The date is associated with the first accordion patent, which was registered on May 6, 1829 in Vienna by organ and piano maker Cyril Damian and his sons Carl and Guido. From then until today, the accordion became a favorite instrument, first of folk musicians, and over time it was integrated into traditional musical styles from all over the world.
Museum events:
April 27 and 28, 2024, (Lazarus Day and Palm Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv, 2 Dr. “Stoyan Chomakov” St.
“Easter workshop at the Regional Ethnographic Museum” with guest master Svetla Rakshieva, who introduced the participants to the art of writing eggs. In addition to painting your own egg, you will learn many new things about its symbolism, about the traditions and ways of painting and writing it in different countries and in Bulgaria.
The activity is suitable for all ages. Participation fee – BGN 8.00. All necessary materials are provided by the museum.
May 5– May 12, 2024. , 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv, 2 Dr. “Stoyan Chomakov” St.
Exhibition “Easter in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia”
The exhibition tells about the common and different traditions of the three countries. It is possible to trace the preserved pagan customs prevalent among us and among them, and also to see how much Christianity has changed popular beliefs and ideas.
The spring rituals for the rebirth of nature, with which the Easter rite is also connected, are presented according to the Julian and Gregorian calendars used in these countries. In Bulgaria, the cycle includes the customs of Mesni and Sirni Zagovezni, the Masquerade Games, Horse Easter – Todorovden, Lazaruvane and Vrabnitsa, i.e. the seven Sundays of Lent. And in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, fasting begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts six weeks until Easter, reflecting all the folk customs during that time.
In this comparison, the rites associated with agricultural sacrifices, which are common to the three countries, are clearly outlined. Or the lazarus, a rite of initiation for maidens, which is perceived as a custom with ancient roots. Lovers of beautiful painted eggs will be able to learn how many different techniques are used to decorate them; for the traditions preserved from the Middle Ages to today, as well as for the new methods used in the 21st century.
May 1–15, 2024, Children’s Department at NB “Ivan Vazov”
Easter Egg Exhibition “Colorful, Patterned Eggs”
Tags: Program municipality Plovdiv Easter holidays
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