The Balkan Folklore Festival took place on Saturday in Sofia's Yuzhen (South) Park, drawing approximately 500 spectators. The charitable event was organized under the motto "We Can Live Together."

The stage gathered not only Bulgarian presenters but also members of folk troupes and dance ensembles from the Balkan region. Singers Poli Paskova, Valya Balkanska (from the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices choir), the Bisserovi sisters, Snejina Spasich (Yugoslavia), the Kumanovi Trio (Macedonia) and the Shavak Ensemble all presented folklore pieces of song and dance. Rosen Antonov, known as the Bulgarian Elvis Presley, sang an aria by Donizzetti.

Todor Kavaldjiev, vice-president of Bulgaria, was patron of the event and was on hand to greet the spectators. The organizers of the event, the Principles Foundation, said the festival would contribute to bringing the Balkans closer and would be significant in finding a peaceful solution to the problems in the region. Paskova expressed her wish to create with all the talented musicians and performers in the Balkans and make this a better and more peaceful world.

Balkanska sang the song "Ripni Kalinke" (Jump Ladybird) from the Rhodopes region, reinforcing the strong voice of this mountainous region. According to Antonov, art would assist in overcoming ethnic problems. Members of the dance folklore formation Chinari expressed the same vision through their dance choreographed with Greek, Serbian and Turkish motifs.

The first ethnic festival made its appearance in Sofia after earlier stops in Bourgas and in Varna.

One hundred performers from all Balkan countries took part in the festival. Also contributing were the singers Blagovest Poruzhanova, Daniela Traicheva, the Chinari folk formation, the Bisseri Roma orchestra and the Romane Chihaya orchestra - they all also performed at the festival venues in Bourgas and Varna. The motto of the festival was spelled out in all Balkan languages for the duration of the event. "We would like to showcase the position of the peaceful residents of the Balkans, regardless of their ethnic background," said Hristo Hristov, chairman of the Principles Foundation. He added that all the ambassadors and cultural attaches of the Balkan countries embraced the idea for the fest.

The Kumanovi Trio represented Macedonia, Gorgetta and Georgi Mogorasie represented Romania, and Shafak represented Turkey. Yugoslav singer Snejana Spasic performed in Serbian as well as in Bulgarian and was accompanied by bagpipe player Slobodan Dimitrievic.

Croatia was represented only by diplomats from its mission in Sofia, due to visa restrictions. They expressed an interest in the festival touring Macedonia.