The centuries-old seaside town of Nessebar, home to a significant migrant community and a place with long history of cultural exchange, hosted a multicultural event, organized by IOM Bulgaria.

The event took place on 11 June at the stage of the Artium center for culture and education and gathered people from various nationalities. It presented a blend of traditional dance, costume design exhibition and folk songs. The volatile weather did not hinder the participants’ and the audience’s enthusiasm and everyone enjoyed the rich cultural program.

The event kicked off with the highlight performance of the evening – an idiosyncratic fashion show with costumes designed by Elena Evtushenko, a prominent member of the migrant community in Nessebar. The peculiar costumes blended motifs of ancient Byzantine dress and contemporary fashion. These original works were presented in a stage show that incorporated performative elements of dance and theatre. All the performers were also women - members of the migrant community in Nessebar.

The evening continued with a display of traditional folk music from different Bulgarian regions, each with its specific rhythm, tone and mood. A large part of the participants were children from various folk ensembles throughout the country and their vigorous performances put a smile on the faces of the people in the audience. The programme displayed an array of traditional Bulgarian dances, bagpipe performances and solo vocal performances.

It is a known fact that folk art is something that transcends borders and definitions and illustrates the organic connection between different peoples. This was evident from the audience’s response to the music as both locals and members of the migrant community relished the musical program with a sense of shared elation.

This event was implemented within the framework of the project "Raising the awareness of Bulgarian society and migrant communities in Bulgaria", funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020.