BalkanFolk, Sofia
What to buy here: Traditional Bulgarian musical instruments – kaba gaida, dvoyanka, tupan.
If you have decided to go out in Sofia you definately have to choose some of the numerous pubs « krachma » where musicians perform folklore music every night exept Sundays.
There is no celebration or event in Bulgaria without the participation of some of the traditional Bulgarian musical instruments. One of the most popular is called « kaba gaida » and is the main accompanying instrument in a very popular Bulgarian folklore song chosen to be included in the playlist of the gold gramophone record launched with the two American aircrafts « Voyager 1 » and « Voyager 2 » in 1977. As an instrument with a very powerful sound it is often played at weddings, during the grape-harvest time, holidays like Trifon Zarezan in February when the vines are clipped, at Nestinari (barefoot walking on live coals) or Koukeri (masking parades) games and gatherings. The gaida is a respected instrument in many parts of the country but it is most treasured in the Rhodopi Mountains.
The prices start from 48$ for a « Kaval » , 292$ for a « Tapan », 300$ for a « Gadaulka », 300$ for a « Gaida ».
If you have decided to go out in Sofia you definately have to choose some of the numerous pubs « krachma » where musicians perform folklore music every night exept Sundays.
There is no celebration or event in Bulgaria without the participation of some of the traditional Bulgarian musical instruments. One of the most popular is called « kaba gaida » and is the main accompanying instrument in a very popular Bulgarian folklore song chosen to be included in the playlist of the gold gramophone record launched with the two American aircrafts « Voyager 1 » and « Voyager 2 » in 1977. As an instrument with a very powerful sound it is often played at weddings, during the grape-harvest time, holidays like Trifon Zarezan in February when the vines are clipped, at Nestinari (barefoot walking on live coals) or Koukeri (masking parades) games and gatherings. The gaida is a respected instrument in many parts of the country but it is most treasured in the Rhodopi Mountains.
The prices start from 48$ for a « Kaval » , 292$ for a « Tapan », 300$ for a « Gadaulka », 300$ for a « Gaida ».
Image Courtesy of Pavlina Docheva.
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BalkanFolk on Map
Sight Name: BalkanFolk
Sight Location: Sofia, Bulgaria (See walking tours in Sofia)
Sight Type: Shopping
Sight Location: Sofia, Bulgaria (See walking tours in Sofia)
Sight Type: Shopping
Walking Tours in Sofia, Bulgaria
Create Your Own Walk in Sofia
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sofia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sofia Introduction Walking Tour
"Ever growing, never aging" This is the motto of Sofia, capital city of Bulgaria. Under different names, the area of Sofia has had a 7,000 year history. Organized settlements around the area's hot water springs existed as early as the third millennium BC. A Thracian state union there was raided by Philip II of Macedon in 339 BC.
The Celtic Serdi provided the name... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Celtic Serdi provided the name... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Communist Era Landmarks Walk
In the not-so-distant past Bulgaria was part of the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc. Today, this is one of the few countries where you can still find numerous relics of the Communist era manifested in monumental architectural landmarks. Concrete and metal were the main materials as a symbol of the industrialized nation, and the size was important too as a common architectural characteristic prescribed by... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.6 Km or 4.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.6 Km or 4.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Sofia Shopping: 15 Things To Memorize Bulgaria By
Increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years, Bulgaria has opened up to the outer world, revealing colorful identity, manifested in rich craftsmanship, culinary and cultural traditions and history. The country's capital city Sofia is a lovely alloy of Eastern and Western European...