Just letting everyone know that the 3rd Mindya Rockfest will be on Friday August 26th and Saturday August 27th. There will be 10 bands, folk singing and dancing groups who will open the event about 5pm - 6pm Friday and also perform on the Saturday before the rock bands soundcheck. Can't be more specific. Media will be present and BNT are making a film of the whole process. Should be lots of stalls and the usual beer tents. Sponsors have been found so the event is FREE. All ages attend so its not just for the 'rockers' among you and it will be interesting seeing the retro cars and bikes turning up (hopefully).
Any people on Facebook can join the MINDYA ROCK FEST group to follow what's been going on. Use Google translate as most is in Bulgarian because it is a Bulgarian event!
The only accommodation available will be camping - plenty of places to erect your tent down by the river.

oldun wrote:

Should be lots of stalls and the usual beer tents

oldun wrote:

Sponsors have been found so the event is FREE.

oldun wrote:

... and bikes turning up

Sounds great oldun ... keep us posted!

Do you have a list of the bands performing yet?

Yes Chris: Bands are as follows but not sure of the times they will be performing.
CHERMORIZEC
ADD GROOVE
MURZILKA
BG BAND
DEMODE (from Gorna Oryhavitsa)
BLUES TRAFFIC
MAGISTRII (both bands are Evgenii Dainov's)
SILUET (very popular group with attractive girlies playing rock violins)
SEVI ( also with girls in the line up)
VASKO KRUPKATA (otherwise known as the very popular Vasko the Patch)

They will all have been performing down on the coast this summer and our Fest is on the way back up to Sofia.
Today the village community has begun the necessary strimming, rubbish collection etc in anticipation of the couple of thousand people due to turn up. This event is even bigger than last year and as its over 2 days it will be interesting to see how it all goes. There will be police and security present as usual and so far, there has been no trouble at all. Our villagers are very tolerant I think. What I like about Bulgaria is the lack of ageism. Babies to Babas turn up and seem to enjoy the activities. Hope you all do too.
Its a pretty village and there are lots of short walks around if you follow tracks and you can do a complete circle. Good for dog walking especially down by our lovely river Veselina.

Oops - I forgot to mention that for you booklovers there will be a secondhand English book table at very reasonable prices and I think the Book Cave are also coming.

Fantastic Oldun wish we were going - Have a wonderful time.

I was asked by National Bulgarian TV if we were going - so assume there are going too.

Could I borrow some of your bands for the Silistra Garden Party mine seem to be dropping out daily ::

Hi Oddie - Yes its BNT that are making a film of the event. I will ask the organisers if they might support your event for Silistra. Maybe a couple of bands might make it.

Well a spectacular lack of interest shown but never mind - folks are probably out in their gardens in this glorious weather. Its projected to last for our Rockfest. The opening will be 6pm Friday with folk singing and on Saturday at 3pm there will be a Bulgarian folk dance group before the bands start playing at 6pm and after their soundcheck. Also there will be retro cars and bikes present I think which will be interesting.
Karen's Bookcave will definitely be there with a book signing and reading which will be interesting besides her usual books. My friend and I will have a tabletop selling DVDs, videos and books at really low prices so you should all be able to stock up on your winter reading and viewing when the TV is rotten.

:Great:Fantastic Oldun

Sounds as thought it will be a brilliant day - but if I remember, last year there were over 1000 people turned up (mostly Bulgarians) however, I am sure even more will come this year - Really wish we could be there would just love it. Good luck but I'm positive it will be a fantastic weekend. Well done flower!!!

Thanks for that Oddie. Yes it is going to be bigger than ever this year with the Mayor of Turnovo giving financial help for security etc. Those of you in the VT area might have seen the huge banner advertising the Rockfest opposite the main post office. It looks great and will be seen by thousands.
I am looking forward to it but just hope I have the energy levels to keep up. This year I am feeling the heat so I think age is creeping up on me finally.
To top off my involvement, a BNT journalist, who is making a film of the whole event, has said she is arriving tomorrow morning and wants to discuss my interview in the film. Oh dear! I really dread these interviews but at least she is very nice (she has done an interview with our choir previously) and she speaks fluent English. I do believe in using my Bulgarian where I can but when under pressure of cameras, the nerves can take over.
Finally, please please, any of you that do turn up on either or both days, make yourself known to me because I know very few English people here. I might not have much time to chat but it will be appreciated.

Update: I've just read on MINDYA ROCK FEST group on FB that we are in Borba newspaper. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and it translates into rather strange English. I used Google translate. There are buses from the bus station west in VT at: 6.00 8.00 11.00 13.30 15.30 17.30 and 19.30 it says return immediately! So you can get there but maybe not a late return so book a taxi which should cost just under 15levs to VT and it should be on the meter! Many of the taxis are well known to Mindya as I use them a lot so you should not be ripped off. Price will be a bit more if late night. Make sure you have arranged one beforehand. Hope this info helps any of you that are planning on coming and don't want to drive.

source Facebook:

Great news Oldun I also read this for

Ivelina Belcheva Bulgarian National Television posted

I’ll be with a TV crew at the Mindya Rock Fest from Aug 25th till Aug 28th.
If you see me there, please, do come and say “Hello”. I will be really very glad to meet you, talk to you and even make an interview with you about the fest and also about anything that happens to be important to you and is part of your life in BG. If your story is interesting or if you have a problem which might be solved if it appears on screen – please find me and tell me about it.

Oddy

Thanks for the link Oddie. I have no idea how to do it. As I have explained before, this is a festival for everyone of any nationality but of course it is organised by and for mainly Bulgarians. The bands may not be well-known by Brits but very popular with Bulgarians and very very good.

Just read on FB that Alex OK bus will be taking people back to VT at 11pm and midnight Friday and Saturday.

oldun wrote:

Just read on FB that Alex OK bus will be taking people back to VT at 11pm and midnight Friday and Saturday.

Things are getting better and better - Hope some of our members will attend and take some photos too Will be a great day

Well its over. A wonderfully successful two days. The Retro parade didn't happen but everything else did. Haven't a clue how many turned up but it must have been at least 2,000. BNT were interviewing for the film they are making and there were loads of others videoing the performances which were all great. My favourites were Silouette and Vasko of course. There were little children rocking and rolling and I think most of the older residents were around mixing with the bikers and guests. I talked to a few people but really it was all about the music. Absolutely no drunkeness or violence and the mornings after, it was all cleared away by 9.30am. I hope Notting Hill Carnival can say the same. Weather was fabulous with the hot day cooling in the evening.
Must add that there were several dogs on leads who seemed to also enjoy the proceedings.