There are seven Bulgarian folklore regions. Bulgaria has an extremely rich folklore, something few countries can boast of. Bulgarian folklore is colorful, colorful, diverse and very interesting. Folk songs and dances in our country are created on the basis of certain themes, most often these are: the relationship between man and nature, agriculture, village life, the love between the maiden and the hero. Let's look at each area separately…
1. Shop folklore region
We start our musical journey with the first stop, the folklore area near Sofia - or Shopska. This folklore area includes the districts of Sofia, Kyustendil and Pernik. The most used musical instruments from the shops are duduk, gudulka, bagpipe and kaval. An important element of the costumes for this folklore area are the belts, which play a role in dancing - the girls and boys grab the belt of the person next to them. The Shop folk dance is dynamic and agile, involves constant jumping and its distinguishing feature is the continuous "painting" of the shoulders.
2. Dobrudja folklore region
Covering the areas Varna, Silistra and Dobrich, this folklore area uses the accordion, the djura bagpipe and the gadulka - the "Dobrudja troika", sometimes also a large kaval, accordion and duduk. Most of the dances in Dobruzhda start slowly and gradually pick up the pace. You will recognize them by their characteristic crouching towards the earth, which in turn symbolizes the connection of the people of this region to the land, whose fertility provides them with sustenance.
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3. Pirin folklore region
The Pirin folklore region covers the administrative region Blagoevgrad. The folklore of Pirina is very similar to that of the Shop region - the songs are always heroic, heroic. Musicians here mainly use drum, tambourine, zurna and zilos. The dances were modeled on the nearby Aegean and Barbary Macedonia. Here we have not only mixed people and dances, but also those that are divided into male and female. Women's dances are gentle, calm and gradual, while men's dances are more impulsive, dynamics are observed. A well-known dance from this folklore area is the Shirtoto.
4. Rhodope folklore region
This folklore area covers all settlements in the region of Rodopa mountain. The folklore here is as mystical as the place itself, as the famous Rhodope singer and musician - Orpheus. The Kabagaids originate from here. Brass shepherd's bells, the kavala and the tambourine are also musical instruments from this area. The dances are free, easy and quickly memorable. Girls and boys play by holding each other's shoulders, waists, or hands.
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5. Severnyashka folklore region
The Northern folklore region is the largest in terms of territory, covering the areas from Shumen to Botevgrad. The musical instruments listed so far are used here with the addition of the ocarina. The dances of the northerners are also known as small-step folk dances, because of the small steps with which they are performed. The choir of the north radiates cheerfulness. Their costumes are similar to other areas, with women also wearing a headscarf. One of the Bulgarian people's favorite people originates from this folklore region - Elenino, Paidushko.
6. Strandzha folklore region
Including the region of Burgas, this folklore region is known for the use of drums, tambourines, bagpipes and kavalis. Here there are various types of dance, and we must mention the so-called "Nyamo Horo", where it is played without music and humorous movements are performed. In the Strandzha region, our well-known firework, or walking on embers by women, also originated, which is still practiced today.
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7. Thracian folklore region
The Thracian folklore region includes all administrative municipalities from Plovdiv up to Yambol inclusive. The Thracian and Strandzha folklore regions are quite similar in every aspect – from musical instruments to folk costumes. The dances are rich and rhythmic. In the lands of Thrace there are great people. The very famous and beloved by all of us "White Rose" choir originates from here.
