By Lili Gospodinova, Jan, 16th, 2012
Following the Christmas concert for the foster children of Varna, was the Christmas concert of the village of Konstantinovo, which took place in the Cultural Club “Iskra” in the village, on Sunday, 18th Dec, 2011.
The hall of the Club was overflowing with children and their parents, young and old, the whole village had gathered for the cheerful event. The concert started off with a blessing of Father Georgi of Holy Trinity Church in the village, who wished all present health, peace and fertility.
Everyone enjoyed the performance of folklore dancers, singers, musicians, eurhythmics and acting by the local children and old women. The big surprise was that the Club’s folklore ensemble, with 45 children at the age from 2,5 to 12 year old, had been named after the village’s benefactor, Christopher Violaris, who has been helping the village on many occasions. The idea had come from the mothers of the young dancers, as a show of gratitude for the new folklore costumes that he had bought the Ensemble. The concert ended with a contest for “The Best Round Loaf”, which was won by the Head of the Cultural Club, Mrs. Snezhana (and no wonder, I have personally tried her round loaf and it is really yummy).
As Mr. Violaris was prevented from attending the Concert, due to business meetings abroad and the Holidays, Mrs. Snezhana and Cultural Club “Iskra” decided to organize a separate concert in his honor. So as soon as he returned to Bulgaria on the day following his birthday, Mr. Violaris was invited to a concert (BTW, he had no idea that the ensemble had been named after him, as it was kept a secret in order to surprise him in person). On Sunday, 15th Dec, Mr. Violaris’s heart was filled with joy and his face lighted by a smile when he saw the children all dressed up in their nice costumes. When the little performers finished with the dances, their choreographer, Mr. Ivaylo Ivanov gave the Ensemble’s patron a present consisting of a DVD of the Christmas Concert from 18th December, 2011, and a beautiful boat, and a huge bouquet was given to him by one of the eldest members of Ensemble “VIOLARIS”. “It gives me great pleasure to see so many children here today, dancing and being involved with the treasuring of the Bulgarian culture and roots, keeping away from drugs and crime. It is very often that I personally consider myself more a Bulgarian than many Bulgarians I know, and therefore I actively participate in the safe-keeping of our customs and traditions. Today you have honored me with enormous respect and it makes me more than happy and content to leave a mark in the future”, said Mr. Violaris in his closing speech and treated all the youngsters with a delicious chocolate birthday cake.
FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE “VIOLARIS” will continue to save, resurrect, broadcast and continue these old Bulgarian customs and traditions. Its mission is to transform the long history of the traditional Bulgarian folklore culture also on other stages nationwide as well as abroad in the form of authentic, recreated or composed songs, dances, orchestral works, customs and traditions.
