The Shoppe Festival in the town of Elin Pelin is an amblematic event with a fifty-two year history. The inspiring literature works left by Bulgaria’s celebrated writer Elin Pelin have also contributed significantly to the development of the festival.

“The Shoppe Festival is a colorful palette of Bulgarian folklore. It is part of the cultural calendar of our municipality and our social lives. It became an emblem of the town, which obliges us to preserve, appreciate and continue the Shoppe tradition and our ancestral memory”, Deputy Mayor of Elein Pelin Reni Nikolova said for Radio Bulgaria. Bulgarian and foreign folklore ensembles are expected to participate at this year’s edition of the festival. The festive programme is related to the folklore tradition and includes songs, dances and humor from the Shoppe region. It was unveiled on the Christian Feast of Pentecost Monday (Holy Spirit Monday, June 13) at Tsarkveto locality, where the town of Elin Pelin emerged. We have done our utmost to give our fellow citizens the opportunity to enjoy various folklore arts, depending on their taste and preferences”.

The festival also features the traditional painting exhibition and a photo exhibition held under the motto “Images from the Shoppe Region”. Talented Bulgarian children will perform at two concerts. Culinary fans will be able to taste local Shoppe meals. An exhibition of retro cars will also take place within the frameworks of the festival. There are also a host of events to be enjoyed by people interested in gastronomy, sports and pets. “Stefan Stefanov” brass orchestra and cheerleaders will also participate at this year’s festival. On June 17, the Shoppe Ensemble Radi Radev celebrates its 55^th anniversary with a concert show.

In Reni Nokolova’s words, amateur dance clubs and choirs from the community centers in the municipality of Elin Pelin will also participate at the festival. Local comedians will also appear on the stage.

“Individual performers and folklore groups from the Municipality of Elin Pelin and other Bulgarian regions are to perform during the three festive days. This colorful palette of traditional cultural wealth can be seen in the town of Elin Pelin. The festive programme culminates at 19.30 pm on June 17, 18 and 19 at “Levski” Stadium. All listeners of the Bulgarian National Radio are welcome to visit the town of Elin Pelin. Dear guests, welcome to the 2022 Shoppe Festival. This year it is held under the motto “Remember the past, build the future, keep traditions alive”.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov