They were presented at a party under the patronage of H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Bulgaria. Diplomatic Spectrum was the media partner of the event

On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the Three Glorious Days – The Return of Late King Mohammed the Fifth from exile, the Renaissance and the Independence Day of the Kingdom of Morocco and the 10th anniversary of the Association for Cultural Products and International Exchange Spectrum 21^st Century, the Embassy of the The Kingdom of Morocco, the Association and the Union of Bulgarian Journalists organized another celebration under the motto "Show Tradition! Give a Holiday!". On November 16 in the elegant Moroccan residence traditional Moroccan and Bulgarian dresses were presented. Among the numerous guests were the ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Algeria, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Yemen, Cyprus, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Serbia, France, diplomats from dozens of foreign missions in Bulgaria, prominent public figures, representatives of the Bulgarian administration, cultural figures and journalists.

They all were welcomed with bread, honey and salt with a glass of mint tea and sweets according to respectively the old Bulgarian and Moroccan traditions.

The guests were first addressed by H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco:

Excellences, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank all the partners of this joint cultural event called "Show Tradition! Give a Holiday!", initiative launched 10 years ago by Spectrum 21^st Century Association.

This present event will, no doubt, contribute to spread the wealth of the Bulgarian culture and learn about the Moroccan cultural diversity heritage.

I am particularly grateful to the Spectrum 21^st Century Association whose co-chairmen are Mrs. Ekaterina Pavlova and Mr. Hristo Paskalev.

I am also grateful to Mrs. Snejana Todorva, President of the Union of the Bulgarian journalists, and to Mrs. Rosita Bakalova, the creator of tapestries and President of the Club called "The friends of the tapestry, the Bulgarian embroidery and other arts" and as well as to the Professor of ethnology, Dr. in musicology and dance, Mr. Nikolay Nikov.

Today, our collection consists of Moroccan and Bulgarian traditional costumes, handy craft products, photographs, tapestry, and embroidery exhibition

Maybe they are not always aware of it, but artists are often our best ambassadors. They create, amongst nations, a better knowledge and hence understanding of each other; because Art reminds us that values are not only monetary.

That is why tonight’s joint cultural event reflects also the friendly sentiments of Bulgarian people for the Moroccan people. Cultural exchanges are indeed very significant part of the cooperation between Morocco and Bulgaria, given their role to enhance mutual understanding, trust and friendship between both friendly countries and peoples.

Excellences, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Finally, on behalf of the Moroccan Embassy to the Republic of Bulgaria, I am pleased to welcome all of you here this evening. Tonight’s event marks the 62th anniversary of the three glorious celebrations of the Kingdom of Morocco, which are the Return of Late King Mohammed the Fifth from exile, the Renaissance and the Independence Day.

All these three celebrations symbolize the triumph of the will of the Throne and the Moroccan people in the national fight for the freedom, the independence and the unity.

Thank you!

The guests were also welcomed by Ms. Ekaterina Pavlova, co- chairperson of   Spectrum 21^st Century Association and editor of "Diplomatic Spectrum". She said:

Spectrum 21^st Century Association was established in November 2007, just before Bulgaria joined the European Union. Today it is its 10^th anniversary - just before the first Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. For these 10 years, we grew up. We implemented many interesting projects that I will not enumerate. I will only highlight the next challenge that we are facing – to finalize the project Eurosongs, which we dedicate to the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.  It envisages the creation of a music album "Eurosongs" /Schlagers of Europe/ with songs from 15 European countries sang by Hristo Paskalev - Pascal, which is almost ready, and concerts under the same name throughout the country and abroad. We are involved in this project because we believe that: "Living together in Europe means we also sing its songs together."

And tonight we have gathered because of another initiative we are proud of - "Show Tradition! Give a Holiday!". For a long time, with the assistance of various diplomatic missions in Bulgaria and the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, as well as with the media partnership of the online edition Diplomatic Spectrum, we have been showing the beauty and diversity of Bulgarian holidays and traditions to foreign representatives and vice versa - foreign holidays and traditions to the Bulgarian audience. We held a number of celebrations under this motto. We presented various holidays and traditional crafts: Christmas, Baba Martha, Novruz, Lazaruvane, Easter, Pottery... We were able to make them with the help of the embassies of Belarus, Russia, France, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran ...

This time, together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, and with the help of the Folklore Dance Ensemble "Svetlina" at the "Svetlina 1940" Community Center - Sofia and Prof. Dr. Nikolay Nikol, we will present you an incredible beauty from Morocco and Bulgaria - traditional women's costumes.

Welcome once again! Enjoy tradition, we give you a holiday as a gift!

Mrs. Snejana Todorova, chairperson of the MB of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists, also addressed those present:

I am very glad that today's nice evening has gathered us here in this hospitable home of Morocco to speak again about what we have in common, about the things that unite us - folklore, culture, the traditions of Bulgaria and Morocco. I am very happy that the Union of Bulgarian Journalists has for several years been a partner in this wonderful initiative of Spectrum 21^st Century Association and, of course, we were happy to respond to the invitation again.

It is a great privilege and honor to tell you that in its activity the Union of Bulgarian Journalists has always sought to build and not to destroy. We create bridges and opportunities for mutual acquaintance and I will allow myself to thank once again the Moroccan honorable ambassador for her hospitality tonight. And also to invite our famous master of tapestry - Mrs. Rositsa Bakalova, a laureate of many national and international awards, including the honorable title "Leader of the Bulgarian Nation of the Year", which she was awarded with very soon, for her nice surprise to our hostess.

The designer gave a valuable gift to the Moroccan ambassador - a tapestry made by her after a painting of a Moroccan artist which is put in one of halls of the residence.

An exhibition of Mrs. Bakalova was also presented at the event. The exposition contained author's tapestries from famous series of hers, showing the sights of Bulgaria, the beauty of the Bulgarian woman, the flowers ...

The attendees also had the opportunity to have a look at an exhibition of photographs presenting Morocco with its wonderful variety of colors and shapes.

After the speeches H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui presented the Moroccan caftan, world famous for its beauty:  

The ethnological diversity of the Moroccan caftan is partly due to climatic differences. Its trend of modernization is based on the imperatives of our time without losing its character, its splendor and its beauty.

The Caftans vary according to the different tribes and human groups and the regional styles are transformed and reach a very high level of perfection.

Moroccan caftan has undergone various influences from the Phoenician dress, from the Roman and Greek draperies: long, wide with pleats that encircle the body with a lot of style.

As Morocco is geographically at the crossroads of the worlds and stops in the Atlantic Ocean, it was influenced by the historic trade routes, the Arabic sea routes, the caravans crossing the Silk Road and the trade across the Volga River in Russia. This explains the different origins of the caftan, which aims to highlight the beauty of women.

The Moroccan caftans are, generally, hand-made with silken thread, silver or gold thread, by handicrafts designers. They are worn throughout all seasons and at any age and their prices vary depending on the quality of the fabric, the design and the work of the handicraftsmen.

The embroidery on the sleeves, the collar, the front and the sides of the caftans are the most expensive part of the caftan because they require a lot of work and time to be realized by the special designer. Simple caftans are worn by women at home and the most luxurious ones are worn at weddings and other similar occasions.

The Moroccan princesses wear them during official ceremonies, and women Ambassadors wear caftans when they are received by His Majesty the King during their appointment and when they present their letters of credence to the Head of State of the country in which they are accredited.

There was a defile, blinding with beauty and colours.                  

Prof. Dr. Nikolay Nikov, author of the wonderful book "The Holidays of the Bulgarians. What to Do or  Not to Do", presented the traditional Bulgarian women's costumes. The unbelievable sense of humor and the skill he used to talk about them excited the audience. Together with the girls from the Folklore Dance Ensemble "Svetlina" at the Cultural Center "Svetlina 1940", who were together with Mrs. Mariana Pankova (Secretary and choreographer) and Mrs. Alexandra Puwkova (Head of the Educational and Cultural Activity) they managed to capture the hearts of  everyone. They showed  costumes from the Thracian and Shopski region, from Varna, the North region and Pirin.

Then part of the Ensemble performed the "Vasilovden" Festive Dance, which further enhanced the mood. Finally, Prof. Dr. Nikolay Nikov sprinkled salt on the floor in the hall - a ritual of twinning the traditional cultures of the two countries under the sign of the sun.

Afterwards, the guests enjoyed the wonderful Moroccan sweet and Bulgarian salt bites, as well as the awesome wines of Darobas.

Many of them also enjoyed the organized small pre-Christmas bazaar with Moroccan and Bulgarian souvenirs. There were beautifully crafted works of the members of the club "The Friends of the Tapestry, the Bulgarian Embroidery and Other Applied Arts", Spectrum 21^st Century Association and https://bg-bg.facebook.com/denigallery, as well as works of Moroccan craftsmen.

More about Folklore Ensemble "Svetlina" at House of Culture "Svetlina 1940" - Sofia

The folklore art of the ensemble preserves the stylistic identity of the Bulgarian music, dance and costume. Already many years qualified choreographers conspire generations and create dances based on the thousand-year tradition of our national folklore. The dancers are aged between 16 and 30 years. The repertoire includes dances from the numerous ethnographic regions of the country.  They are performed in typical costumes, of which the ensemble possesses a splendid collection.

The ensemble gives a lot of concerts in Bulgaria and has visited with a great success a number of countries: Germany, Algeria, Spain, Italy, Sudan, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Belgium, England, Poland, Portugal  etc.

Some of the latest rewards of the ensemble issue from the National competition "Youth creates" in 2002; the traditional competition for spring customs of Folklore Association "Nestia" in 2003; the Special reward of the International Folklore Festival in Targu-jiu, Romania in 2003. In the year 2003 Folklore Ensemble "Svetlina" was also approved in a National competition from the jury of the National Section of CIOFF-Bulgaria and became a bearer of the title "Representative folklore ensemble of NS of CIOFF-Bulgaria". The year 2005 was marked by the third prize from the National competition of Rotary Club – Bulgaria.

Folklore ensemble "Svetlina" is one of the most experienced and authoritative ensembles of our capital. The ensemble is a winner of 7 first prizes from 7 consecutive national competitions, bearer of the National Medal named after the Saints Cyril and Methodius and of a large number of awards and medals, received in the course of its long-term activity in the country and abroad.

In 2008: The ensemble is a winner of first prize from the biggest national competition "The Grand Dance Award of Sofia", organized by the Union of the Bulgarian dance and music figures, and also winner of the award for "Highest quality of performance and especially of the dances from the Shoppian region" from the International jury of International Folklore Meeting competition in Zywiec, Poland.

In 2009: Winner of the very special award for a new created folklore dance based on the national tradition and also second prize in the national competition "The Grand Dance Award of Sofia".

In 2010: The year was a remarkable year for the history of the ensemble – Folklore ensemble “Svetlina” celebrated 70 years since its foundation. The event was marked with a spectacular concert and many other performances in the country. The ensemble received a precious appreciation for its contribution to the Bulgarian folklore art and for a second time the honorary title "Representative ensemble of the National Section of CIOFF Bulgaria".

Photos: Diplomatic Spectrum, Black and White magazine, Daniela Petrova and Lyuben Dzhorinski

First row: H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midauoi welcomes the guests; with the co-chairs of Spectrum 21^st Century Association - Ekaterina Pavlova and Hristo Paskalev; with Snejana Todorova, chairperson of the MB of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists; with the designer Rossitsa Bakalova

Second and third row: The Moroccan caftan - character, splendor and beauty

Fourth and fifth row: The traditional Bulgarian costume - cheerfulness, warmth and beauty

Sixth, seventh and eighth row:  Among the guests of the celebration were 15 ambassadors, many spiritual, social and cultural figures.