21-09-2023 11:21
"I think we can look at traditions as something old that can help us better understand who we are, and maybe even what we can be," says Norwegian accordionist and composer Björn-Peter Tosse – one of the performers in the "Traditions unite us" project. We are taking the opportunity to attend the final event of the project and visit the Community Center "Obedinenie 1913" in Kardzhali. We are welcomed by the heart and soul of the initiative - Kamelia Cholakova and Vasko Raichinov. Their partner in the venture is the Norwegian organization Bjerkaker Learninglab, and the funding comes from the Cultural Entrepreneurship, Heritage and Cooperation program.
The essence of the project is a specially created music and dance performance "Traditions Unite Us". It tells and shows traditional Bulgarian costumes, songs, dances and customs from 6 Bulgarian regions: Dobrudzhanska, Rhodope, Severnyashka, Thracian, Shopska and Pirinska. "It was important for us, apart from the very short theory, that the children see a live performance - the singer sings in front of them and the dancers play. It's much more engaging when the dancer is in front of you with his emotion and energy and the costumes coming to life," says Kamelia Cholakova, who is the head of the project. After the Bulgarian traditions, we continue with Norway. Björn-Peter Tosse plays a leading role here, in the company of two ladies, Julie Kleive - vocals and harp and Jenny Augusta Engel - vocals and guitar. In addition to traditional Norwegian songs, the two also perform their original music. And because the concerts are held in villages with Roma and/or Turkish population e, the performances from the respective culture are also included. If you have seen the posters for the concert or other materials about the project, you must have been impressed by the red embroidery – a curious fact is that it is part of the traditional embroidery for both Bulgaria and Norway.
The performance has already toured 10 small towns in the regions of Kardzhali, Smolyan and Plovdiv and was seen by more than 1,300 people. The events are aimed at children, but everyone is invited. "Folklore areas are studied in the 6th grade. And here, in a concise form, they are given information about areas, songs, dances and costumes. Our partnership with the community centers is very important, because our local colleagues are well known and help a lot with the organization and the promotion on the spot," notes Vasko Raichinov, and Kamelia Cholakova adds - "All these small details are important, because when we did a survey it turned out that the children in the villages have not seen a theater. they didn't go to a concert or get out of the village."
Wherever the show is performed, a workshop for making dolls is also organized. Children learn to create dolls with costumes from the six main folklore regions of Bulgaria, as well as with Romani, Turkish and Norwegian traditional clothes. Mainly recycled materials are used. "The idea of the workshop, as well as the whole project, is to present our ancient traditions and culture in a way that is interesting for young people. Therefore, here the children have the opportunity to literally see and touch the material they study at school, to learn more about the colors and symbols that are so important to the traditional costumes of all ethnicities. And last but not least – to acquire knowledge, to give new life to old things and materials. It's a pleasure for me to work with the children in such an interesting way!" says Albena Popova, who leads the workshops. The enthusiasm in Momchilgrad is so great that they continue with the workshops even after the project event.
An important moment of the partnership with the Norwegian organization is the opportunity to present "Traditions Unite Us" in Oslo. "In Norway, they have a lot of respect for Bulgarian polyphonic and choral singing, and unequal rhythms," says Kamelia Cholakova. The Embassy of Bulgaria in Oslo also helps with the organization of the event, as well as the Bulgarian Sunday School "Rodna Rech" in Oslo. You can see a full recording of the concert on the project's Facebook page.
A little more about Björn-Peter Tosse: born in 1994, he holds a master's degree in Thracian Music in Norway, and in 2015 continued his education in Bulgaria. Here he met the best Bulgarian accordionist - Petar Ralchev and became his student. His stay in Bulgaria helped him meet many musicians and learn a lot about his favorite folk music. "I really like Bulgarian music because of its richness, rhythms, emotions and harmonies," says Bjorn.
