Festival of Traditional Dances "Na Armane s Tapane"Фестивал на традиционните хора „На армане с тъпане“

This annual folklore festival in Razlog brings together over 40 dance ensembles from all over Bulgaria (and some international groups) to perform authentic regional dances and songs. Held on the central Preobrazhenie Square, it features a grand gala concert-spectacle in which troupes in traditional attire demonstrate Pirin and Shopluk dances 1. The event includes carefully staged performances of local wedding dances and customs, accompanied by live folk music, as well as competitions judged by experts. In 2025, 12 ensembles opened the XIV edition with a collaborative show 'Po stupkite na otdanostta' 1 2. The festival emphasizes preservation of live folklore: after the formal concert, the festival concludes with an open communal “horo” circle dance, symbolizing unity and continuity of tradition 3 4. Razlog residents and visiting villagers join the dances, making this more a folk gathering than a commercial event.

Held in the Pirin mountain region, this festival continues Razlog’s long-standing tradition of folk gatherings. Razlog and surrounding villages have a rich dance heritage (the 'Pirin Hora'), with many villagers keeping old dances alive in village ensembles. The festival, founded in the early 2000s, was created by the town’s cultural leaders to showcase regional folklore and foster national connections. It reflects the 'sabor' (folk festival) culture of Western Bulgaria, where communities share ritual dances, costumes and songs. The name 'Na armane s tapane' refers to the dance 'chorevant', linking it specifically to local dialect and lore.