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Kanatitza festival in Vancouver attracts fans of Bulgarian folklore in Canada

Photo: Kanatitza Festival

The Bulgarian community in Vancouver, Canada, is holding the Katanitza Festival of Bulgarian folk dances and embroidery from September 21 to 24 with the participation of groups from all over North America and Canada. This is the 10th edition of the festival and it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the establishment in Vancouver of the Bulgarian folk dance group "Kitka", as well as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian school there. 

The organizer is the Bulgarian-Canadian Society in British Columbia. The main goal of the festival is to popularize Bulgarian folklore among Canadian and foreign ethno-cultural local audiences by providing them with an opportunity to enjoy Bulgarian folk art.

The first day of the festival is dedicated to Bulgarian embroidery. For the first time, such an event is being organized abroad to popularize the Bulgarian traditional embroidery and its significance for folklore. Special guest is Dilyana Kurdova. Her visit was made possible by the financial help of the Bulgarian National Culture Fund via its program "Mobility 1" 2023. Dilyana Kurdova will present her book "Reflections on the Bulgarian women's folk costume". In front of a wider audience, including Canadians with an interest in Bulgarian folklore, she will talk about the symbolism of Bulgarian embroidery.
On September 22nd, on the occasion of Independence Day, a large Bulgarian horo dance will be performed with all the participants and guests of the festival. There will be a festive concert and premiere of the film "20 years of Bulgarian dances in Vancouver", telling about the history and spirit of the Kitka folk ensemble. 




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