In brief
On November 7, 2026, Sofia’s Joy Station hosted the 10th‑anniversary concert of the Association of Bulgarian Folk Groups Abroad (ABFGA). President Iliana Iotova and speechmakers lauded the ABFGA for sustaining Bulgarian traditions overseas. The evening showcased folk dancers and choirs from multiple countries and called for stronger support of Bulgarian cultural life abroad.
On Saturday night, November 7, 2026, Sofia’s Joy Station became the venue for the Association of Bulgarian Folk Groups Abroad’s (ABFGA) 10th‑anniversary concert, a gathering that brought together folk dancers and choirs from different countries on a single stage.
The concert opened with the Bulgarian and European Union anthems, signaling the event’s national and pan‑European spirit. The evening featured performances by folk groups representing the Bulgarian diaspora across Europe, and included traditional songs and dances that highlighted the cultural links that persist between expatriates and their homeland.
Rangel Vangelov, the concert host, welcomed the audience and emphasized the importance of Bulgarian cultural traditions, the transmission of cultural heritage across generations, and the ABFGA’s role in connecting Bulgarian folk communities worldwide.
Speeches and Acknowledgments
President Iliana Iotova, in the presence of other dignitaries, addressed the ABFGA and congratulated its chair, Radoslava Nedyalkova. She praised the association’s decade‑long effort to unite Bulgarians living abroad through folk music and dance.
For 10 years now, you have been bringing together the efforts of our compatriots for whom folk songs and dances are a living link with Bulgaria,
President Iotova continued, “Thanks to your work, folk groups abroad have established themselves as centres of cultural life, communication and continuity.” She further noted that these groups ensure the continuation of Bulgarian traditions and introduce young people to the beauty of Bulgaria’s cultural heritage. “Your anniversary performance is a celebration of Bulgarian talent and the spiritual bond with the homeland, which you preserve with love and dedication, regardless of distances,” she added.
Bulgaria News Agency Director General Kiril Valchev used the platform to call on Bulgarian folk groups abroad to teach the nation at home three lessons: the enduring love of Bulgaria, the harmonious living exemplified by their singing and dancing together around the world, and the respectful presentation of Bulgaria on the international stage. He claimed that their dedication to culture could serve as an example for society in Bulgaria.
Valchev also proposed establishing a Bulgarian cultural institute that would consolidate the fragmented efforts of Bulgarian institutions abroad, suggesting that such a body could enhance the visibility and influence of Bulgarian cultural heritage worldwide.
The ABFGA’s concert underscored the role of diaspora groups in cultural exchange and called for increased support for Bulgarian heritage initiatives overseas. The event marked a milestone in the association’s history and highlighted the continued relevance of folk traditions in a global context.
