ORGANIZATIONS:

Balkanfolk: a Sofia-based organization which organizes annual summer workshops in Bulgaria. Site also has an on-line shop for CDs, instruments, costumes, etc. Extremely well done. http://www.balkanfolk.com/

East European Folklife Center (EEFC): Organization promoting Balkan folk music and dance. Organizes the annual summer workshops in California and Maryland. Has its own internet discussion and e-mail group with archive search. http://www.eefc.org

Bulgarian Community USA: A site linking Bulgarian communities in major US cities: Boston, New York, Seattle, San Francisco etc. A good way to know about concerts, exhibits, social functions, other links etc. http://www.bgmass.com/

Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance: The well-known School in Plovdiv which trains professional folk musicians and dancers.http://www.artacademyplovdiv.com/

Filip Kutev National School for Folk Arts : The first folk arts school in Bulgaria in the historic town of Kotel. Photos, some videoclips, etc. http://www.nufi-kotel.com

CIOFF Bulgaria: The Bulgarian section of the International Folk Festivals Organization affiliated with Unesco. The site is in Bulgarian. Information on International and national folklore festivals in Bulgaria. http://www.cioff-bulgaria.com/

BMNECC: The Bulgarian-Macedonian National Educational & Cultural Center. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Promotes Bulgarian culture. Museum, library, archives, performing ensemble, http://www.bmnecc.org/

Balkanplus: Organization based in London, England. Organizes dance evenings, worksohops, concerts, etc.http://www.balkanplus.org.uk

Etar Ethographic Museum - Gabrovo: Famous outdoor museum.http://www.etar.org/

Holidays of the Bulgarians: Calendar of Bulgarian folk customs in several languages. Written by Nikolay Nikov. http://www.kroraina.com/knigi/bg_folklore/index.htm

WebFolk Bulgaria: A 5-year project of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Institute for Art studies (Dr. Ljubomir Kavaldzhiev). This is an amazing database of material from the Folklore Institute archives (in Bulgarian and English). You can find many collections of folk songs, instrumental pieces with many RealAudio clips and even video excerpts! http://musicart.imbm.bas.bg/en/about.htm

«Living Bulgarian Treasures» : Another fascinating project of the Folklore Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Site is in Bulgarian and English and part of a European Union Project. Contains calendar of folk traditions and interactive regional map with many photos, sound and video clips ! http://www.treasures.eubcc.bg/main.php?act=gallery

«Nestia» Folklore Center : A Sofia-based organization organizing several national and international folklore events . Calendar of activities has not been updated since 2006. http://www.nestia-folkcentre.hit.bg/

«Chanove» Bulgarian dance Club : One of several organizations offering Bulgarian folk dance classes to the general public for leisure and fitness. Some interesting video clips of regional dances. The site is in Bulgarian only. http://cham.dir.bg/_wm/library/?df=8&dflid=

DANCE GROUPS:

«Bulgarche» Ensemble: Youth Folk Ensemble from Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. Bilingual site with nice photographs. http://www.bulgarche.com/

«Lilyana Folk Ensemble» (Japan): A semi-professional dance troupe (with musicians!) based in Tokyo specialized in Bulgarian dance. Some great photos and even a few film clips! http://www.ii-park.net/~lilyana/index.html

«Ivan Dimitrov Ensemble»: Ivan is a former dancer with Trakia Ensemble in Bulgaria now living in the Washington DC area. He directs his own Bulgarian folk ensemble http://www.ivandance.com/index.html

«Bosilek Folk Ensemble »: New York City-based folk ensemble founded and directed by Cathy Springer http://www.angelfire.com/folk/bosilek/

«Severnyashki Ensemble»: Nice site with many photos of the Severnyashki Folk Ensemble based in Pleven, North Bulgaria. The site is often slow to download. http://sef.hit.bg/

 «RADOST Folk Ensemble»: Long-established performing group based in Seattle, USA which performs dances and music from Bulgaria, the Balkans and other East European countries. http://www.radost.org/

 «MARTENICA Neptanccsoport»: A Bulgarian dance group based in Budapest, Hungary.http://www.martenica.hu/

 «SEDIANKA »: A Bulgarian dance group based in Liège, Belgium http://users.pandora.be/speentje/portal/sedianka/

«BULGARE» Folk Ensemble: Professional Folk Ensemble based in Sofia and directed by Hristo Dimitrov , which has created the theme-show This is Bulgaria. http://www.bulgare.net/

 «Duquesne University Tamburitzans»: Long-established student geroup from Duquesne University (USA) performing the dances and music of Eastern Europe.http://www.tamburitzans.duq.edu/

 «Balkanska Mladost »: Folk Ensemble in Etropole, Bulgaria. In Bulgarian only for now. Under construction. http://www.balkan-youth.org/

 «Rosna Kitka »: Famous children's folk ensemble in Sofia directed by Petar Grigorov & his son. http://dancefolk.hit.bg/

 «Ensemble Razvitie »: An amateur folk ensemble in the town of Sevlievo.http://ers.hit.bg/

 «Ensemble Borovets »: Amateur troupe from Borovets. Has some nice photos of folk instruments. http://www.folk-group-borovets.hit.bg/

 «Folk Dance Group Bâlgari »: Newly-formed performing group of Montreal's Bulgarian Community. http://balgari.homedns.org:2300/BalgariWeb/EN/Home_en.aspx

 «Folk Dance Group Igranka »: Bulgarian Dance Group in Toronto's Bulgarian Community. http://www.igranka.com/Igranka_Main_eng.htm

 «Folk Dance Group Nashenci »: Pronounced "Nashentsi" Small Bulgarian Dance Group based in Sofia Bulgaria. Photos, movie clip, etc. http://www.nashenci.org

 «Elit »: A "chamber" folk music and dance group based in Gorna Oryahovitsa, North Bulgari. English website. Photos, etc. http://elitfolk.hit.bg/

MUSICIANS, MUSIC GROUPS:

«Lyra» Folk Band : Folk Orchestra from Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Some downloadable music clips.http://www.lyra.hit.bg

«Horo» Folk Orchestra : Well-known folk orchestra from Rousse, North Bulgaria. Some nice MP3 music files from their recent CDs. http://www.silvena.net/horo

Milen Slavov: Accordionist from Stara Zagora now living in the USA with his wife Zhivka Papancheva, a folk singer from Strandzha. Website includes list of services, CDs and books for sale, music samples, etc. .http://www.msmusicagency.com

Zdravets: Boston's "friendly neighborhood Bulgarian band".http://www.zdravets.com/

Krassimir Kondov: Website of a professional gajda player born in Varna and living in Pleven. Information in Bulgarian and English. Some MP3 music files. http://www.geocities.com/krassimir_kondov/

Angel Dobrev: Website of a professional gâdulka player born in North Bulgaria and living in Sofia. Some MP3 music files. http://dobrev.music-bg.com/

Theodosii Spassov : The amazing Bulgarian kaval player combining folk, jazz, fusion elements. http://theodosiispassov.com/theo.php

Nedyalko Nedyalkov : Website of this well-known talented kaval player who has played all over the world. Photos, mp3, video clips etc.. http://www.nedyalkov.org/newnedyalko/en/index.htm

Nikola Ganchev : A website devoted to this legendary player. Book project underway. Photos, music clips, etc. http://kaval.dir.bg/en/ng.html

«Lyuti Chushki»: A Bulgarian folk music band based in the Washington, DC area composed of "natives" and "non-natives"...http://www.lyutichushki.com/main.html

«The Balkanics»: A new D.C. based band with some overlap from "Lyuti Chushki" but more of a "wedding band" sound. http://balkanics.com/

Kolorit Orchestra: a Chicago-based Bulgarian band led by accordionist Strahil Vankov .http://www.kolorit.org/

Hajde: Band based in Central Ohio playing Bulgarian and Macedonian music.http://www.robertsnider.com/Hajde/

Topolovo: Bulgarian band based in France.http://www.topolovo.com/index.htm#

Balkan Transit : Bulgarian band based in Aarhus, Denmark. Produced a CD in 2006 with singer Yanka Rupkina on GegaNew label. http://www.balkantransit.dk/indexen.html

Pravo: Bulgarian/Balkan band based in Budapest, Hungary.http://www.pravo.hu/

Balkanarama: Seattle-based Balkan folk band. Their website has many good links and info.http://balkanarama.com/index1.htm

Balkan'Ail- Bachibouzouk Orkestar: Balkan folk musicians based in France.http://balkanail.kaval.org/index.htm

Orchestra IZGREV: Professional Bulgarian "wedding style" band based in the Chicago area. Site includes video clips.http://www.nufolk.com/

Orpheus Orchestra: Professional Bulgarian "wedding style" band based in Plovdiv. Site includes MP3 samples.http://orpheusgroup.cjb.net/

Kaba Horo: Montreal-based new musical group directed by guitarist Ljubo Alexandrov. New CD just released Feb. 2006 .http://www.luboalexandrov.com/

Chubritza: Band based in Arcata, Northern California playing Bulgarian, Balkan and Int'l Folk Music. http://www.chubritza.com/

Birgitt Karlson: German musician and singer living in Darmstadt. Has compiled a useful downloadable collection of Balkan and Int'l songs and tunes (words and some scores)http://www-linux.gsi.de/%7Ekarlson/index_e.htm

Fake Book - Folk Music from Bulgaria : Sheet music for Bulgarian folk dances from various parts of Bulgaria compiled by Hans Baken of the Netherlands. Mostly tunes connected with the Dutch-German folk dance scene. Free download version. http://stores.lulu.com/bulfake

Chansons populaires bulgares : Website created by Yoto Yotov with Bulgarian text and French translation to many Bulgarian folk songs grouped by artist ad collection.Includes mp3 files. http://www.chansonsbulgares.org/

Folk Factory : Ivan Kovachev plays gadulka and several other instruments. He is based in Gabrovo and has produced a series of instructional books and videos. Also organizes a summer music and dance seminar in Gabrovo in July. http://www.folkfactory.com

Aleksandr Eppler : Instrument maker and musician (kaval) based in Seattle, WA USA. http://www.bulgariankaval.com/

Orkestar «Bez Ime» : Based in Minneapolis. Plays the music of Rogaria...and its neighbours, including Bulgaria.... http://www.rogaria.com

SINGING/VOCAL GROUPS:

Kolev Family: New-York based musical group. Site features, concert dates, CDs for sales etc (this URL might not be operational at the moment).http://www.gadular.com/kolev_family.html

Ivanka Ivanova: A folk singer from Pazardzhik now based in Germany.http://www.songiva.de/

Bisserov Sisters: The official website of the famous Pirin singing trio. Not too much information but some interesting MP3 music files.http://www.members.intech.bg/bisserovfolk/

«Superdevoiche» - Offshoot of the UCLA Bulgarian Women's Choir. Nice site with background info on Bulgarian Women's Choirs and Bulgarian folklore. Some video clips. http://www.superdevoiche.com/

Kremena Stancheva: A wonderful traditional Shope singer living in Sofia. She has taught singing workshops to North Americans and can organize special folk programs in her native village of Kovachevtsi in Bulgaria.http://www.KremenaStancheva.com/

Tatiana Sarbinska: A well known singer and teacher from the Pirin region now living in Boston. http://www.tatianasarbinska.com/tatiana.htm

Galina Durmushliyska : A wonderful singer from Dobrudja living in the Netherlands. Discography, biographym photos, mp3s. Site mostly in Dutchj. http://home.tiscali.nl/beelenj/

SLAVEYA: Washington DC based women's singing group directed by Tatiana Sarbinska.http://www.Slaveya.org/

USMIFKA: A Bulgarian singing group based in Denmark.http://www.danbbs.dk/~usmifka/

BALKANES: A Bulgarian singing group based in Lyon, France.http://www.balkanes.com/

VANDOR VOKAL : A Bulgarian singing group based in Budapest, Hungary .http://users.belgacom.net/vandorvokal/index.htm

LONDON BULGARIAN CHOIR: A Bulgarian singing group based in London, England and directed by Dessislava Stefanova. .http://www.londonbulgarianchoir.co.uk/index.php

KITKA: A renowned Balkan singing group based in the San Francisco Bay Area.http://www.kitka.org/

BALKAN CABARET: An exceptional group from Washington State playing mostly "urban" Balkan music featuring soloist Mary Sherhart .http://www.balkancabaret.com/

ZVEZDA - The Balkan Babes : Based in Pittsburgh .http://www.balkanbabes.org/

PLANINA : Balkan singing group and band based in Colorado. Several CDs for sale and MP3 samples http://planinasongs.homestead.com/

Great Voices of Bulgaria - founded by Zdravko Mihajlov. A formation similar to "Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares" also promoting Orthodox Liturgical singing and other forms. The site has some interesting samples of vocan and instrumental music.http://www.bulgarianvoices.com/en/about_us.html

Sedjanka : A Bulgarian female choir directed by Michael Deltchev based in Arhus, Denmark http://www.sedjanka.dk/eng/default.asp

Yale Women Slavic Chorus: Based at Yale University. Slavic repertoire including Bulgarian http://www.yale.edu/ysc/

Yasna Voices : Brooklyn's Bulgarian women's choir. http://www.yasnavoices.org/

«Leb i Vino » : Duet based in Melnik, Bulgaria. Sings Macedonian folk songs from Pirin Region. http://www.zonitza.com/lebivino

MILA Vocal Ensemble : Based in Minneapolis area. Professional women's vocal ensemble specializing in East European repertoire and styles. http://www.milavocalensemble.com

DANCE TEACHERS, SEMINARS, TOURS, FESTIVALS etc. :

Folk Music & Dance Seminar - July 27-August 2, 2008, Plovdiv : Annual summer Seminar organized through the Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance organized by Prof. Lyuben Dossev and Larry Weiner (USA). An opportunity to work with the finest dance, music and singing teachers. This seminar is right before the Gabrovo Seminar (see below), so it will be possible to attend both seminars. http://www.folkseminarplovdiv.com/index.cfm

«The Masters» - Folk Music & Dance Seminar August 4-10, 2008 in Gabrovo : Organized by Folk Factory (Ivan Kovachev). You can view video presentation of teachers. This seminar is right after the Plovdiv Seminar, so it will be possible to attend both seminars. http://www.folkfactory.com

Rhodope Int'l Summer Music Course - August 4-17, 2008 in Shiroka Lâka : Offers courses in Bulgarian folk music and dance as well as classes in Classical music interpretation and composition. Website also has section in Japanese. http://www.rhodopemusic.com/home.htm

Bulgarian Folk Camp - Momchilovtsi, Rhodopes : Spring, summer and fall music and dance workshops in the Rhodopes . http://www.folkbulcamp.com

Tchan Dancing School: Hristo & Kaya Ivanov are Sofia-based dance teachers organizing an annual summer Bulgarian dance seminar in Koprivshtitsa. http://www.tchandancingschool.com

Bulgarian Folk Camp : Summer folklore seminar in the Rhodope Mountains. http://www.folkbulcamp.com/

Daniela Ivanova & Angel Nazlamov: Daniela is a talented dancer, teacher, singer and researcher from Sofia working with Plovdiv-based Angel, an excellent accordionist.They have produced sevaral CD's and publications and are available for workshops in North America.http://www.dancing.cult.bg/

Iliana Bozhanova: Bulgarian dance teacher based in Plovdiv. Has taught in many countries, accompanied by Lyuben Dossev on kaval. Excellent traditional material and high-quality CDs. .http://www.ilianabozhanova.com/

Tanya Kostova: former dancer with Trakia Ensemble in Bulgaria now living and teaching in California .http://www.geocities.com/paulbourbin/tanya.html

Balkanalia!: Annual Balkan music and dance Camp held in Oregon.http://www.balkanalia.org/

International Folklore Fest - Veliki Tarnovo: Annual International Folklore Festival. Some links to Bulgarian folklore groups.http://www.folklorefest.com/

Folklore School «Sredets» - Sofia: Courses on Bulgarian Folk Dances for children and adults. Teachers are Evelina Pavlova, Antoaneta Pavlova and Georgi Pavlov. Website in Bulgarian. http://www.folklorika.com

CDs, VIDEOS, BOOKS, etc. :

GEGA NEW: Well established recording Company in Sofia, Bulgaria. Produces quality recordings of folk, classical, opera and popular music. Many of their folk recordings are available through us on this website.http://www.geganew.com

Bulgarian Masters Series: Excellent recordings with detailed accompanying booklets pertaining to tradtional Bulgarian musicians. Recordings by Lyuben Dossev produced by Paul Morrissett with digital mastering by Bob Snider . Books written by Cathie Springer. http://www.robertsnider.com/music.htm

«May it fill your soul»: Interview which appeared in the Central Europe Review (Oct. 1999) with Timothy F. Rice author of the excellent book on Bulgarian folk music. http://www.ce-review.org/99/17/music17_bagust.html

Music-Bulgaria: Offering Bulgarian CD's. Impressive catalogue.http://bulgarian-music.music-bulgaria.com/

Vox Bulgarica: On-line store selling Bulgarian choral sheet music and CDs. Based in Vancouver, Canada .http://www.voxbulgar.com/

Kuker Music: A Bulgarian music publishing house in Sofia. Some interesting folk titles. http://www.kuker-music.com/

Sunrise Marinov: A Company in Bulgarian producing Bulgarian folk and "folk-pop" CDs, etc (Website in Bulgarian only) .http://www.sunrisebg.com/

Bulgarian Books.com-Bulgariana: Another online Bulgarian music & book store.http://www.bulgariana.com/

Passion Music: On-line music store based in England. Specializes in Balkan & East European music. Excellent selection. Reliable. http://www.passiondiscs.co.uk/world_beat.htm

BG Folk : Website created by a Bulgarian studet living in Boston. Photos, MP3's (currently unavailable), sog text, in Bulgarian & English .http://www.bgfolk.com/

RADIO, TV, MEDIA, etc. :

Radio Plovdiv: Listen to a live feed via Real Audio. On Saturdays from 8-10 p.m. (Plovdiv time) there is a delightful folk music program called "Ot duma na duma" (from word to word) hosted by Nikola Chapanski. The Radio Plovdiv site is in Bulgarian only. At the top right of the page are three icons for "live" feeds. Try them all and one should work.... http://www.radioplovdiv.bg/

 Sofia Echo: A Bulgarian weekly on-line english-language newspaper. To keep in touch with Bulgarian news and events. http://www.sofiaecho.com/

BG Media: On-line store based in Salt Lake City specializing in Bulgarian films (VHS, DVD's etc,) in PAL & NTSC formats. http://www.gobgmedia.com/

Bulgarian National Radio: The official website of the BNR. Listen to live feeds and check latest Bulgarian news in English and Bulgarian. http://www.nationalradio.bg/