September 20 & 21, 2024

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The festival is held at the Heritage Discovery Center at 7th & Broad Streets in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

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Under the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center, Otets Paissii Performing Folk Ensemble has been delighting local and international audiences for nearly 70 years. The Ensemble was formed by Nicholas Jordanoff in 1955, commensurate with the First Annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival. This talented group of singers, dancers, and musicians presents its annual performance each spring and performs regularly at venues in Pittsburgh and across the United States.

 

The ensemble is an annual participant in the BMNECC’s “Na Megdana” Bulgarian Festival, as well as the “Verea” Bulgarian Festival in Chicago. Celebrating 69 years, this dynamic performing ensemble delights in taking audiences along with them on a cultural journey of music, song and dance to the unique regions of Bulgaria and Macedonia.

 

The ensemble is named for Otets Paissii, the monk who wrote the first comprehensive history of the Bulgarian people. Otets Paissii Performing Folk Ensemble is under the direction of Artistic Director, Bilyana Stoyanova Stafura, and Managing Director, Beth A. Stafura. The entire ensemble, with the support of the BMNECC, takes an immense responsibility in making each season successful – through fundraising to costuming, organizing to developing – through volunteering committees reaching all areas of the organization. The ensemble’s roots span many generations, and the passion of its dancers shines through in every performance.

 

The Ensemble is excited for their upcoming tour to Bulgaria in June of 2025 with planned performances and workshops with other Bulgarian ensembles and artists.

 

Vlado Mollov band plays Friday 8:30-10p and Sokyra plays immediately after OP on Saturday 1-2:30p and 3:40-4:15p.