What a day—what a whirlwind of emotion—at the Bulgarian folklore festival “Cambridge Sings and Dances”! 🇧🇬
More than 2,000 people filled the green lawns at Nuns Way in Cambridge with smiles, folk costumes, dancing and Bulgarian spirit. Honestly, we didn’t expect it to be this big—or this busy! It was hot, we all caught a tan, and the ice-cream van sold over 900 ice creams! 🌞
The festival ran for a full eight hours—two hours longer than planned—because… people simply didn’t want to leave!
The programme was richer than ever: 40+ performances by 20 singing and dance ensembles from across the UK, including six children’s groups whose genuine talent and enthusiasm showed that the future of Bulgarian traditions and culture in Britain is in excellent hands. We danced, we sang, and we enjoyed every step, every costume and every smile. 🌞
The unexpected—but wonderful—bagpipe performance by Martin Argirov electrified the audience, and his duet with Anna Simeonova became one of the day’s highlights: a harmony of voice, sound and dance that moved us all. What an exceptional duo!
And of course, what’s a festival without a procession carrying a 40-metre Bulgarian flag to the rhythm of the “Dunavsko Horo”? Hundreds of dancers joined in, led by our honoured guests—an unforgettable sight!
We also held a tug-of-war competition.
Women’s costume contest winners:
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
The festival was covered by Cambridge Independent, BG BEN, BG Voice UK и Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
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
You can find the full photo albums on our Facebook page:
- 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
With our deepest gratitude,
The Little Bulgaria UK team