Bulgaria is beautiful #8. WakeUp! Festival, Rhodope

in travel •  7 years ago  (edited)

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Welcome to WakeЪп! (wakeup) Festival, which took place between the 6th - 9th of July 2017 in the footstool of Rhodope mountain. Тhis was definitely the most inspiring and spiritual festival I have been to. The organizers emphasized on lectures, practices and other fun/helpful activities, instead of famous musicians and crazy parties. IMG_0802.JPG
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For example there was this so-called trolley.
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You can see my friend Sashko, taking a ride in this video.


WakeЪп! is mostly dedicated to the Bulgarian spirit.
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Those are restored embroideries by "Workshop Rodolybie" from old traditional costumes and some of them illustrate the "Elbetitsa" symbol, which I wrote about in this post. It turned out that another meaning behind it is "be happy", so no wonder it is all over the place. Next is another amazing example, this time with the Mother Goddess. Can you see the dance?
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There was a lot of traditional music with horo - аround dance, which stands in the roots of our culture.
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Play this video to hear the music and see dozens of people dancing like one whole organism.

I hope you did not get freaked out by the people with scary costumes. They are called Kukeri.
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They used chanove (big bells) to scare the "evil spirits" away.
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Here is how it goes.

Proof that they are just normal people.IMG_0840.JPG
Lets enjoy some more nice views .
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Two lovebirds jumping together, holding hands. They were too cute not to be photographed.
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This is how the main stage looked from above.
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Another day, another show. This time it is by Cirque de la LyuLin
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Things got very hot when it came time for the "Grande Finalle"!
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They are the only ones in Bulgaria performing this trick. So BRAVO!.

I spent most of the days listening to lectures on spiritual subjects. Believe me, the name of the festival is not random. I feel more awakened, aware and elevated. Before I knew it, it was the last night of the festival.
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On the day after the end of the program, we were still not in a big rush to go back. Here I am showing around the place with less tents and people.

Thank you so much for dropping by in this experience. I hope you join the fun next year! It will be great to have this post shared, so more people know about this event.
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A part of me is still there.

If you enjoyed this trip, follow me for more. You can also check out the others in my sequence bulgariaisbeautiful.

Gabby~

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Excellent post, Gabby! So colorful and full of life. The bagpipe music moved me. <3 Upvoted & resteemed!

Please come next year ;-*

Why not?! I am still thinking about that bagpipe music.

When I was in Sofia, I would go listen to the gentleman who plays his bagpipe in the park by the university. He is so friendly and passionate about his music. I took a picture of him...his face is so expressive!

Thanks for the resteem :3

You're welcome...my pleasure!

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Sure, I would love to have a photo from the article shared. I really want more people to enjoy our gem nature :)

Saw what this is all about and approved so much ^^

A great post with lots of cool and interesting photos! Thanks for sharing with us, keep up the good work!

Thanks for appreciating it :) will do!

This looks really amazing hammocks! Fire twirlers! Love to hear some of that music there awesome pics!!

Glad you enjoyed it :) Spent 3 hours on this post :D

The festival looks amazing and fun!

Upvoted.

Yeey :) glad you enjoyed!

Seems like so much fun! Awesome :)

Fun was just a small part of it. Come and join next year :)

Thanks for sharing this experience with us looks like an amazing and I would imagine enlightening event

You are so welcome :)

Изглежда уникално!! Много благодаря, че го сподели :) Има ли фб страница, където мога да следя за подобни фестивали??

Благодаря предварително!

Не съм попадала на fb страница със списък на фестивали. Тези просто си се знаят. Понякога хората пишат статии за предстоящи фестивали през годината. Ако се разровиш в google ще намериш. Ако искаш да преживееш нещо подобно, препоръчвам Беглика, която ще се състои края на месеца. Фестивалите не са евтини, ни си засшужават :)

Vow, very interesting festival. I like your post :)

Glad you enjoyed it :) You will definitely like the others in the Bulgaria is beautiful sequence as well. Check them out.

Incredible post.Тhank you for sharing it. Найстина изглежда уникално !!

Такова си беше. В края на месеца ще се проведе Беглика фест. Няма да ходя, но ще е с подобен дух, а мястото е още по-красиво. Препоръчвам :)

glad you enjoyed the festival! mine was a totally different experience.. We had our things stolen day 1 right when we were unpacking from the bus shuttle. From there it all went down..

Seriously?! I was leaving my things in random places, as I felt it was safe. Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

Hey, people! Thanks to all of your support. The upvotes will cover my expenses for the festival :D

Never been to a festival in Bulgaria it looks like so much fun!

Time to correct that :)