Deputy minister Irena Georgieva took part in the opening of the “Golden Bulgarian Hands” festival

Vratsa region was visited by about 37 thousand tourists in 2015, accounting for some 9% rise on 2014. In terms of Bulgarians, the rise is 8%, and events like this one are certainly one of the main reasons for such results. This was stated by the deputy minister Irena Georgieva in Chelopek village in the region of Vratsa at the opening of the third edition of the exhibition- gathering  “Golden Bulgarian Hands”  – one of the most  spectacular performances of authentic  folk traditions in North West Bulgaria.

The festival has been held since 2011 and thanks to the efforts of an initiative committee, the local authority of Chelopek and the community centre “Ognishte” this tradition is preserved and enriched. The area around the village provides excellent conditions for tourism not only because of the proximity of Vratsa mountain and Okolchitsa peak, but also because of its rich cultural-historical heritage, deputy minister Georgieva pointed out. Coming here to enjoy the beautiful nature, people are able to honour the memory of Botev’s fellow revolutionaries and the deeds of many other heroes from our past.

It is not by chance that Vratsa is included in one of the eight cultural-historical destinations created by the Ministry of Tourism to attract greater attention to the regions in the country. It is called the “The Riches of the North West” and provides a range of opportunities for tourists to stay longer in the region, to see not only the main tourist attractions but also smaller settlements, as it became clear from the words of Irena Georgieva.  Also, the festival enables the guests to enjoy the ethnographic traditions of the Vratsa region. The festival includes an exhibition of handcrafted items from 13 villages around Chelopek, from Vratsa and Novi Iskar, folklore performances and a culinary competition with meals from local recipes.

Vratsa municipality has 20 sites in the online Register of the Tourist Attractions developed by the ministry in partnership with the local authority, the deputy minister added. Among them are sites of national importance such as the Rogozen Treasure, for instance, which is a source of pride and attract many tourists. Usually over 500 additional visitors come to the festival and stay at the guest houses and special tours are organized for them. Among the most frequently visited sites are the museum house of Baba Iliitsa, who was born in Chelopek, the tourist path to the place of death of Pero Hertsegovinetsa Voivoda, the shelter “Pogledets”, the Mogilanska mound, ancient and medieval settlements and fortresses, churches and monasteries, etc.

The folk holiday was attended by the deputies from GERB Petya Avramova and Krasen Krastev, the regional governor of Vratsa Malina Nikolova, the deputy mayor of Vratsa Maria Popova, the mayor of Chelopek  Tihomir Toshev, etc.