The Little Bulgaria UK
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We’re still carrying the rhythm of that day in our hearts. Together with the ZI Foundation, we turned Stanley Park, Peterborough into a living kaleidoscope of colour, music and friendships. The first edition of the European Cultural Heritage Festival brought together thousands of residents and visitors, reminding us why we preserve traditions and build bridges between communities.
The beginning: meet-up at the cathedral and a group photo
The morning started in front of Peterborough Cathedral—a place that carries its own spirit of history and community. All ensembles, flag bearers and volunteers gathered there. The square filled with colour: national costumes, flags, garlands, embroidered aprons and smiles. As the last groups arrived, musicians warmed up with short tunes, dancers exchanged steps and tips, and children curiously examined our outfits and embroidery.
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We took a big group photo—a moment that captured in a single frame people from eight countries who came to share their culture. It was more than a photo session: it was a promise of a day filled with friendship and respect. With groups arranged by country, flags and name boards up front, we caught that “ready to set off” energy—the little thrill that makes your heart beat in time with the drums.
The procession through the city
After the photo session, we set off on the procession. Led by the flags and the rhythm of live music, we left the cathedral and headed along the city’s central streets toward the park. The route was chosen to pass through the busiest areas, where residents and visitors could see us and join in. Shopkeepers stepped out to wave, passers-by took photos, and children walked alongside us. With every street we crossed, the music grew more assured, the circles of dancers grew wider, and the feeling that the whole city was “breathing” in the same rhythm only intensified.
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When the procession entered Stanley Park, it naturally flowed into the audience and opened the stage programme—as if the city itself had carried the festival into the park.
The stage and the bazaar
Across a six-hour programme, 21 ensembles from 8 countries delivered 67 performances of folk dance and song. True to the spirit of the festival, each country invited the audience to try its own steps, joining one big circle—much like the traditional Bulgarian horo. 💃🕺 When the afternoon rain arrived, nobody gave up: the music continued, performers and audience stayed together, and the smiles never faded.
As representatives of the Bulgarian community in the United Kingdom, we are proud that we presented Bulgaria as we carry it—with song, with dance and with open arms. The Bulgarian performers lit up the stage and our hearts, and the closing “Momchilovsko Horo,” with all Bulgarian groups shoulder to shoulder, turned the park into a magical community.
Our friends also shone: from Greece (Sevasteia London and Dance Greek Cambridge), Poland (Sikorski Polonez Dance Group Glasgow), Hungary (Judith Oberleitner), Slovakia (Kukuriatko), Latvia (Kastanītis, Zīlaine, Harmonija, Raksta), Lithuania (Raskila, Sparnai) and Ukraine (Sunflowers Choir, St Mary’s Ukrainian School – Northampton, Vishni, Maryna, Rina and Andrii Pliushko).
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We extend special thanks to the Bulgarian performers who made us proud:
- Rosi Piano & Vocal (Rosi Piano & Vocal)
- Folklore Fitness “Gergyovden” (Фолклорен Фитнес - Гергьовден - Лондон)
- Folk Group „Ruchenitsa“ (Petya Nikiforova Photography)
- Folk Group „Sborna Druzhina“ (ТС "Сборна Дружина" - Лондон и Брайтън)
- Folklore School „Seven Eights 7/8“ (Седем Осми 7/8 / Седем Осми)
Alongside the stage programme, the bazaar buzzed all day—62 stalls offering embroidery and textiles, handmade jewellery, candles and woodcraft, cultural information stands and charity causes, plus irresistible flavours from the participating countries. It was the kind of place where craftspeople tell the stories behind their work, children discover new tastes, and strangers become friends over a homemade treat.
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Our international friends
Among our official guests we welcomed Combined Authority Mayor Paul Bristow, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mike Greene, the Mayor of Peterborough Cllr Judy Fox, Lord Jackson of Peterborough, H.E. Mr Tihomir Stoychev—Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria—and the Ambassador of Latvia. Their presence underscored the festival’s mission: to showcase the richness of Europe’s heritage and strengthen ties across the region.
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We are especially grateful to our international team of volunteers, who greeted visitors with a smile, guided performers and traders, and helped first-time “dancers” find their confidence. Without them, we wouldn’t have had that special sense of ease that makes a celebration truly joyful.
Special thanks as well to the photographers and media partners for the professional coverage: M&S Foto, BG BEN, AlbinoArt.org и BG VOICE UK.
And last—but never least—thank you, our audience. You turned Stanley Park into a sea of smiles, flags and dance circles! Here are our favourite audience moments—from first steps to full-on rain-dancing. Huge thanks for the energy and kindness you brought—you made this festival 💔
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Why this day matters to us
Our mission is to preserve and share Bulgarian culture while creating spaces for meeting, respect and learning. The festival showed that when we open the circle to cultures close to Bulgaria’s, children learn their first steps, families find a common language through music and song, and our society becomes even more vibrant and connected.
We’re sharing the speech of our dear friends and colleagues from the ZI Foundation—Dr Ivelina Banyalieva:
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Good afternoon, everyone! This festival isn’t just about music, food and dance. It’s about people. At the Zi Foundation, we’ve always believed that heritage isn’t something to be kept hidden in books—it’s something we should live, share and celebrate together. This day would not have been possible without our partners—our dear friends from Little Bulgaria. Thank you for walking alongside us. I also want to thank members of the community from across Europe who joined us: from Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Poland and Ukraine. Your energy, your dedication, your traditions—these are what make this day come alive. Today, in Stanley Park, there are no borders. When a Polish melody meets a Greek dance; when a Bulgarian piece of embroidery is admired by a Latvian friend; when a child from Peterborough tries Lithuanian food for the first time—something magical happens. We realise something powerful: we are many nations, but we share one community. Today, Peterborough becomes Europe. And Europe becomes a family. So let’s dance together. Because the story we’re writing today is bigger than any one country. It’s a story of respect, joy and belonging. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here, and thank you for turning this dream into reality. |
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First place went to Monika from Pendara Jewellery – Гиздилница Пендара; second place to Gabriela from Milenia ART. Congratulations!
Honoured guests and inspiring words
H.E. Mr Tihomir Stoychev, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Kingdom, highlighted Bulgaria’s ancient history as one of Europe’s oldest states—one that has never changed its name—and praised the vibrant Bulgarian community in Cambridge for preserving and sharing its cultural heritage. He also thanked Little Bulgaria for its tireless work promoting Bulgarian culture among compatriots and the British public.
Cllr Daina Pounds, Mayor of Cambridge, expressed her delight with the festival’s arts and crafts bazaar, calling it “inspiring” and in line with her vision to encourage creativity and craftsmanship across the city.
Mr Paul Bristow, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, surprised the audience with a warm “Dobăr den, Bălgari!” (in Bulgarian) and shared moving memories of his visit to Bulgaria—especially Karlovo, the birthplace of Vasil Levski. He noted that Levski remains an inspiration to all who value freedom and justice, and spoke with a smile about Bulgarian hospitality: “The food was wonderful, the wine exceptional, and the welcome even better.” Whether with banitsa or Shopska salad and a glass of rakia, he felt right at home. “Thank you for sharing your culture and community with us—you enrich our cities with energy, traditions and friendship.”
Ms Ivanka Slavcheva from the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad, who travelled specially from Bulgaria for the festival, presented a congratulatory letter from the agency’s Executive Director, Rayna Mandzhukova, expressing gratitude to Little Bulgaria for its dedicated work in preserving Bulgarian spirit and cultural identity in the UK. 🙏
Trailers
Movies
A huge “thank you” from us ❤
- 🎤 Singers & musical performers – Mia Drazheva, Anna Simeonova, Martin Argirov, “Shindiri Mindiri,” “Mi Minor Harmonics,” “Rosi Kitanova Singing & Piano School,” Children’s Choir “Magia”
- 👣 Dance & folklore groups – „Little Friends“, „Настроение“ – Ipswich & Enfield, „Седем Осми 7/8“, „Zhar“, „Gergyovdden“, „Ruchenitsa“, „Русалии“, „Нестинари Детелина“, „Golden Pendari“, „Eranki & Friends“, „Ethno Dance“, „Friends Birmingham and Nottingham“, „Balkan Dance for Fitness“, „Friends Bury St Edmunds“, „Bulgarian Dances in Cambridge“, „Пъстър Хоровод“
- 🤝 All leaders and participants—for your talent, hard work and smiles
- 🎪 Bazaar exhibitors & stalls – Ангели за България/Angels for Bulgaria, АНГЕЛИ В РОЗОВО, Royal Needle, The Magic embroidery, Гиздилница Пендара, VELMAR Jewellery House, WLC collaboration, Eli's Candles and Creations, Craft Nest, Чорапи ТеБо - Носи Българския Дух, С България в сърцето, MT Candles , Aniques Clay Art , To Make You Smile, Yana Nenova, Sparkling Moments, Miracle Cosmetics World, Mia Fresh Organics, By a Maya, P&P Chocolate House, The Dessert Bar Loughton, Bakery Naslada, Bulgarian Delights, Training Centre Raya London, Миления Дрийм Круизи, AliveKo Mortgages & Protection Solutions, Антония Иванова – Kalon Financial, First Essential.
- 📰 Media partners - Bgvoice.uk, BG BEN
- 📸 Photographers & videographers – Sofia Stoyanova, Daniel Petkov, Agop Kalugyan, Nanev Kolio, Bgvoice.uk.
- 👐 Volunteers – Маргарит Цеков, Дани Кючукова, Анелия Костова, Вили Цънцарова и Тодор Стоянов без които нямаше да има събор.
- 🌍 All our guests—Bulgarians, Britons and friends from many cultures
Още албуми със снимки от събора ще намерите на Фейсбук страницата ни:
- A bit of everything - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.604735612659833&type=3
- Performances and awards - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.610642065402521&type=3
- Competitions - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.651378551328872&type=3
- The bazaar - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.353493861117344&type=3
- The audience - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.355767174223346&type=3
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At the initiative of The Little Bulgaria, this weekend the city of Cambridge welcomed the writer Velka Veleva – a contemporary storyteller inspired by Bulgarian traditions, everyday life, and values.
She met with students and parents from the two Bulgarian Sunday schools in the city – "Vasil Levski" and "St. Ivan Rilski". In a warm and informal atmosphere, she shared her work and encouraged the children to connect with their roots through the magic of literature.
Velka Veleva is the author of the books "Love in Those Times" and "Life in Those Times", which preserve stories of family memory, customs, and the way of life of Bulgarians from the recent past. Her children’s book "Magical World" includes original fairy tales with meaningful lessons and her own hand-drawn illustrations. It is a beloved read for both the youngest readers and those who have grown to rediscover the value of fairy tales.
The team of The Little Bulgaria extends heartfelt thanks to Velka Veleva for her inspiring visit and for giving the Bulgarian children in Cambridge the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of literature through her eyes. We also thank the leadership teams of both schools for their support, cooperation, and hospitality, which made this event possible.
If you would like to purchase books by Velka Veleva, please get in touch – copies are limited.
Watch a video from the visit to the Bulgarian Sunday School "Vasil Levski":
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1330655508270018
Join Velka Veleva’s Facebook group: "Вели Велева -Поезия"
(For poetry, updates, and more about her work)
Link to the post on our Facebook page: Facebook post
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Dear Friends,
On December 8, 2024, we hosted a pre-Christmas celebration titled "Winter is Coming!" that brought together over 200 of our fellow Bulgarians and international friends of Bulgaria.
The festivities began with a story about Koledarstvo—one of the most cherished and authentic Bulgarian traditions, symbolizing health, prosperity, and well-being. The talented students from the Bulgarian Sunday School "St. Ivan Rilski" in Cambridge, led by Yana Vlaeva, performed songs that filled everyone’s hearts with joy and pride in Bulgarian heritage. A special highlight was Yana Vlaeva herself, enchanting the audience with her mesmerizing voice and performance.
The hall was alive with the energy and rhythms of Bulgarian folk music, and the dances were led by our well-known folk dance clubs. Our friends from New Zealand, Japan, and Palestine added a unique flair to the evening by performing Bulgarian songs accompanied by the traditional tupan and tambura. The lively dances and festive spirit united everyone in the magic of the celebration.
One of the evening's most entertaining moments was the "Baklava of the Year" contest, which tested the judges’ taste buds to their limits. Each baklava presented was a true masterpiece, making the decision nearly impossible. The competition ended with not one but two second-place winners!
The children’s corner provided a fun space for the youngest attendees to play while the rest of us danced traditional horo. The magical guest of the evening—Santa Claus—delighted the little ones with sweet treats, making their holiday even more memorable.
As tradition dictates, everyone brought homemade dishes and drinks to share, creating a table that not only showcased the richness of Bulgarian cuisine but also symbolized the unity of our community in Cambridge.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined and made this event so special. Your support and presence reaffirm our mission to preserve and promote Bulgarian culture and traditions, even far from home.
We eagerly look forward to celebrating future occasions with you. Happy holidays and a joyful New Year!
Warm regards,
The Team of the "Little Bulgaria" Initiative
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The event significantly exceeded our expectations and, despite the unpredictable weather, attracted over 600 attendees. The program included more than 25 traditional Bulgarian dances and choreographies performed by 14 folklore groups. Among them were three local Bulgarian folk dance groups, nine visiting groups, and two children's groups, one of which was from the Bulgarian Sunday School "Vasil Levski" in Cambridge, where over 120 bilingual children study Bulgarian language, literature, history, and geography.
In addition to the dance performances, five folk singing performances left us breathless. These included young Bulgarian singers Mia Drageva from BNU "St. Ivan Rilski" in Cambridge and Anna Simeonova (London), as well as the male folk singing group "Bulgarian Legacy".
Special guests also attended the event, including the wife of the Bulgarian ambassador in London, Mrs. Lyubka Stoycheva; the newly elected Mayor of Cambridge, Mr. Baiju Thitala; three-time Mayor of Cambridge and Grand Master of the Order of St. George the Martyr, Mr. Robert Dryden; Mr. Richard Brown, Grand Prior; and Mr. Piero D'Angelico from Mill Road Traders, a supporter of the "Little Bulgaria" Initiative.
The Mayor opened the event with an inspiring speech about Bulgaria's 13-century-long history, traditions, and culture, passed down through generations. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and sharing traditions and celebrations among the diverse communities in Cambridge - a key mission of our organization - and the commitment of Cambridge's local government to supporting its rich cultural diversity.
The event also featured a competition for traditional Bulgarian costumes. Mrs. Stoycheva, the mayor, and Mr. Dryden were part of the jury and had the challenging task of selecting the most beautiful and authentic costumes.
We held a tug-of-war game for men and women, offering unique prizes.
A 40-meter-long Bulgarian flag was proudly displayed as we danced to the sounds of Bulgarian bagpipes, with the mayor and special guests leading the procession.
The bazaar showcased the work of two Bulgarian artists and featured products and services from eight Bulgarian businesses. The Mayor showed great interest in the bazaar and visited every exhibitor.
Our catering partners provided traditional Bulgarian food, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
We had discussions with the special guests about the mission of the "Little Bulgaria" Initiative in Cambridgeshire and our long-term goal of establishing a Bulgarian cultural center in Cambridge. This center would serve as a vibrant hub for Bulgarian education, literature, culture, arts, and traditions, helping strengthen community bonds, celebrate our rich heritage, and invite people from other cultures to experience the beauty of Bulgaria. We also discussed our proposal to the former mayor to organize an international intercultural festival in Cambridge in honor of St. George, the patron saint of England, and the national saint of Bulgaria, Portugal, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Russia, and other countries. The mayor invited us to a meeting at the Cambridge Guildhall to discuss the needs of the Bulgarian community in Cambridgeshire and the charitable initiatives of the "Little Bulgaria" Initiative. We plan to hold the meeting in September, right after the summer holidays.
The event was covered by Cambridge Independent, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), and the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad.
Videos from the event are available on social media - Facebook and YouTube.
More photo albums from the event can be found on our Facebook page:
- A Bit of Everything - Facebook Album
- Performances and Certificates - Facebook Album
- Costume Contest and Awards - Facebook Album
- Tug-of-War Competition - Facebook Album
- Dancing with the Audience - Facebook Album
- People at the Event - Facebook Album
Photo credits: Sofia Stoyanova, Daniel Petkov, Petya Nikiforova.