Folk Dance Ensemble Sredets 70th Anniversary Part 5 Shopski

Ensemble Sredets at their 70 years anniversary on the 29th of april 2007 in the Bulgarian national opera!
The dance name is "Shopska suite".

Folk Dance Ensemble Sredets was established in 1937. It is one of the oldest Bulgarian ensembles and one of the most popular in the country. Each ethnographic region is represented in the repertoire of the folk dance ensemble Sredets -- the rhythms of Bulgaria can be heard and felt in it. Many dance forms are included in the concert programme of the group, keeping the great interest of the public.

The traditional choreography and the inspired performances of Sredets have brought lots of people to the concert halls thousands and thousands of times.

The great number of participation in international folk festivals and forums has brought the ensemble the highest appreciation of the specialists and the public not only in Bulgaria but also in many foreign countries.

Here are some of the most valuable international awards and prizes:
- 'Golden necklace' Dijon, France in 1964. It was the first time that a Bulgarian group won it.
- A special award from the World Youth Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, 1968
- A special award form the World Youth Festival in Berlin, Germany, 1970
- First prize in Carthagen, Tunisia, 1969
- 'Golden Axe' -- Zakopanje, Poland, 1965

Sredets has performed in the world expositions EXPO in Canada'73, Sevilla'92, Stuttgart'93, Taejon'94 and Hanover 2000.
Sredets is the only ensemble ever represented Bulgaria to the Octoberfest in Munich, Germany in 1999 and 2001.
*Balkanfolk.com