Smolyan

Smolyan is a city in southern Bulgaria, located in the Perelik-Prespa division of the Western Rhodopes at a high average altitude of 1035 m, making it the highest regional city in Bulgaria. It is located 10 km from one of the largest winter resorts in Bulgaria - Pamporovo and Mechi Chal. The city was formed on June 18, 1960 from the cities of Smolyan and Ustovo, as well as from the villages of Raykovo and Ezerovo. It is the administrative center of Smolyan municipality and Smolyan district. Smolyan is also one of the longest cities in Bulgaria - nearly 25 km, which is due to its linear development along the Black and Byala rivers.

The town of Smolyan is located in the central part of the Rhodopes, Southern Bulgaria. It is located 87 km west of Kardzhali, 245 km from the capital Sofia, 96 km south of Plovdiv, 436 km from Varna and 319 km from Burgas. It occupies most of the valley of the Black River. On both banks of the river in the west-east direction are the three large neighborhoods - Smolyan, Raykovo and Ustovo.

Culture and entertainment:

The Regional History Museum and the Planetarium are part of the Hundred National Tourist Sites of the Bulgarian Tourist Union.

Regular events:

Smolyan is a center of significant cultural events - National Folklore Assembly "Rozhen", international youth folklore "Orpheus Festivals", international youth hip-hop funk festival Jam On It, international plein air painting, May cultural celebrations, traditional celebration of cooking and masquerade games "Pesponedelnik" in the village of Shiroka Laka, international ethno-jazz festival July Jazz.

October 21 is the Smolyan holiday on the occasion of the Liberation of the Rhodopes from Ottoman rule during the Balkan War - 1912, etc.

Music and Choreography:

In 1960, the Ensemble for folk songs and dances "Rhodopa" was established in the city of Smolyan, which has an important role in the preservation and popularization of Rhodope folklore. He has been awarded a number of prestigious honors and awards for his activities.

Museums and observatories:

National Astronomical Observatory - Rozhen

Planetarium with national astronomical observatory

Regional historical museum

Theater and galleries:

Rhodope Drama Theater "Nikolay Haitov"

On January 3, 2011, the Rhodope National Theater "Orpheus" was entered into the National Register as an independent legal entity with the main activity - continuation of the traditions of theatrical art in the Rhodope region. On January 13, 2011, with Certificate No. 3 (622), the Ministry of Culture was registered as a cultural organization, according to Art. 14, para. 4 of the Law on the Protection and Development of Culture. The idea is the writer Svetozar Kazandzhiev and the actor from the Republic of Moldova Rumen Bechev.

The art gallery, owning canvases of the greatest Bulgarian artists.

Libraries and community centers:

The Nikolai Vranchev Regional Library and four community centers operate in the city of Smolyan:

People's Community Center "Hristo Botev - 1871"

People's community center "Kiril Madzharov - 1866", Ustovo district

People's Community Center "Orpheus Forests - 1870", Raykovo district

People's Community Center "Balkan Enlightener - 1871", Raykovo district

In 1956, a group of enthusiasts led by the young conductor Sasho Chobanov formed a pop-jazz group with a group of vocalists at the "Hristo Botev" community center in Smolyan. In the first orchestral formation, Ksenia Ivanova - piano, Manol Kisiv - clarinet and alto-saxophone, Todor Marinov double bass and Radko Rybitsov percussion instruments take part. Later, the formation grew into a big band. Vocalists are the leader of the band S. Chobanov, Stefana Gozmanova, Maria Kafelova, Anastas Popanastasov, Atanas Pacev and Hristo Hristov (Hitata). The band's concert repertoire includes songs and melodies from various styles of pop and jazz of that time. The first concert appearance was registered in March 1956 in the old military club of Smolyan.

Landmarks:

There are many churches in Smolyan that are a landmark for visitors. Other sights in Smolyan are: Meramova, Sarieva and many other Renaissance houses, the art gallery, the Ali-bey inn, the Pangal house, the Mednikar bazaar, etc.