European Cultural Heritage Festival 2025

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: