What’s On: Mindya Rock Fest, August 28-30
The sixth annual Mindya Rock Fest is to be held in the Veliko Turnovo region village, on the northern slopes of the Stara Planina mountains, from August 28 to 30 2014.
Mindya, 21km from Veliko Turnovo and 18km from the town of Elena, became the scene for an annual free festival of rock and blues music in 2009.
The festival was founded by political science professor Evgenii Dainov with the co-operation of residents of the village. Funding comes from local businesses and Veliko Turnovo municipality.
The event attracts visitors from all over Bulgaria, to the central square which resounds with performances nightly through the weekend.
As the rock festival’s site explains, originally, the idea of holding a free rock festival was first suggested in 2008 by a British couple, residing in the village, together with Bulgarian residents from the nearby town.
“The intention was – and is – to put the village on the cultural map of Bulgaria and attract a colourful mix of artists and music fans for a long week-end at the end of the summer.
“From the very first, local folk groups have been integrated into the cultural mix, together with visual artists and local crafts, much of it provided by the English residents in the area.”
This year’s programme includes “youngsters” and some of Bulgaria’s best-known rock musicians.
On August 28, the programme includes bands from Varna, Razgrad, Sofia and Veliko Turnovo, on August 28, the bands Impade, Casper, Rich Company, and Monolith, and on August 30, Magistri, Blues Traffic, Horizont, Atlas (from Turkey), Cotton Pickers (from Serbia) and Vasko Krupkata (“Vasko the Patch”) and his Poduene Blues Band.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/MindyaRockFest
