Introduction
The Union of Pensioners’2004 is a national organization in Bulgaria. The regional organization of Ruse (UP-Ruse), with Yordan Kazakov – chairperson, boasts over 7000 members, organized in 78 clubs in Ruse and the towns and villages in Ruse region (http://www.pension-bg.org/).
20th Anniversary of the Festival“Talent Has No Age”
On 22nd October, 2016 the 20th edition of the festival of amateur art “Talent Has No Age” was held. The festival was founded and is organized by the Union of Pensioners’2004 – Ruse and is coordinated by Mrs. Gergana Vasileva.
The aim of the festival is to recreate and preserve the cultural and historical heritage of Ruse region and the area along the Danube. More than a thousand people participate in the amateur folk dancing and singing groups and after municipal contests, over 500 elderly people from the best groups take part in the festival with folk, old city, patriotic, military songs, recreation of traditional customs, poems, folk dances. During the years groups from Ruse region, from Danube towns – Silistra, Tutrakan, Svishtov and from Giurgiu, Romania have participated in the festival.
An expert jury evaluates the performances of the different groups (folk songs, old city songs, etc.) and awards first, second and third prize for each category. Diplomas are awarded.
In 2016 the participants in the festival were greeted by representatives of the regional authorities, the Directorate for Health and Social Services, project partners like the University of Ruse and many friends. Mr. Stefko Bordzhiev, District Governor of Ruse, wrote in his welcome address „All of you, the participants in today’s colourful music holiday, serve as a proof and an example for high spirit, dedication and inspirational energy, which you have demonstrated through the years. Accept my sincere respect and admiration for the wisdom, nobility, hard work, experience and faith with which you face each new day. I am convinced that in the future you will continue to give the best of yourselves with love and enthusiasm, bringing beauty and joy into the lives of the elderly! ”.
The pensioner Reni Koleva wrote with inspiration on the website of the Union http://www.pension-bg.org/talant_2016.html: „Beautiful folk costumes, with interwoven colourful embroidery, special stockings with ornaments, specially knit shoes, gold coin necklaces, golden buckles, beautiful flowers on the right side of the head, colourful head covers and sparkling smiles in the eyes! … Were these really grandmothers and great grandmothers?!
Youth is a state of mind
The citisens of Ruse support the festival and often express their respect and admiration to the people from the third age, who preserve the Bulgarian spirit and traditions and enthusiastically educate the younger generations in traditional Bulgarian virtues.
An exhibition on the activities under the project „Tastes of Danube – bread, wine and herbs“
The international project „Tastes of Danube – bread, wine and herbs“, in which the organization took active part, was presented to the participants in the festival by the Chairperson Yordan Kazakov. A photo exhibition was organized in the House of Culture, presenting the various activities, organized under the project:
– Revival of the old folk customs connected with the bread, like sowing the wheat, reaping, celebrtating the end of the harvest time, etc. – in the villages of Brashlen, Babovo and Ivanovo.
– Contemporary holidays in which bread and wine occupy central position – weddings, Easter, Babin den (the day of the midwife), etc.
– Teaching the young –how to make bread and how to value it
– Competitions for the most delicious and beautiful objects made of dough – the village of Babovo,
– Competition “The Garden in my Home – herbs”- Ruse
– Creating a public garden of herbs – the village of Tabachka, etc.
Christmas for the pensioners
On 16 December, 2016 more than 300 members from the different clubs of the Union of Pensioners’2004 – Ruse celebrated Christmas. Guests from the pensioners’ organisation in Giurgiu, Romania, who brought presents, sang songs and recited poems, came especially for this occasion. Song and dance groups of different ages participated in the Christmas programme. All participants danced the fiery choro dances on the stage.
Christmas party “Bulgarian traditions with Christmas spirit“
“The Municipal organization of the Union of Pensiners’2004 – Ruse organized a Christmas party “Bulgarian traditions with Christmas spirit“ on 22.12.2016 in the Ruse Regional Library “Lyuben Karavelov”. The programme included traditional customs related to Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year. Folk and song groups from pensioners’ societies of the Union of Pensioners’2004 – Ruse, who sang holiday folk songs. Children and adults recited Christmas poems. The ritual “Koleduvane” was recreated and fifth graders from the High school of Mathematics greeted the participants with the Bulgarian folk tradition “Sourvakane” for health and prosperity during the New Year. The Christmas party ended with wishes for a rewarding and successful year.
Project of the Foundation „Ruse – a city of free spirit”
Together with Ruse Regional Library, the municipal organization of the Union of Pensiners’2004 – Ruse won a project of the Foundation „Ruse – a city of free spirit” for training pensioners in working with computers. In the Centre for improving the qualification of the Library more than 100 pensioners went through training courses, and this year the training will continue for gaining a higher level of skills and knowledge of the trainees. This is a type of activity that was realized within the idea of Third Age universities like the Centre for Adult Training with the University of Ruse. The ever expanding network for exchange of information between the Union members is a product of the cooperation between the Union and the University of Ruse.
Partners from Russia
Last year, the pensioners’club “Nadezhda”(Hope) in the village of Pirgovo was invited and took part in the international festival “Choir Battle”, organized by the Union of pensioners in Moscow region. The Bulgarian group sang on one of the biggest stages in Moscow. The purpose of the3 festival is support and development of the national choir traditions and enhancing the role of the elderly in strengthening the friendly relations between the peoples of Russia and other countries.
Awards
More than 100 people took part in the national festival of amateur pensioners ‘groups and brought various prizes. The total number of elderly amateurs, participating in this festival was over three thousand.
Emiliya Velikova
