Over 750 kukeri masks, crafted by children from all over Bulgaria, are on display in the Kazanlak Municipality building.

The masks are part of the First National Kukeri Mask-Making Competition "Sirni Zagovezni 2025." The competition is organized by Dr. Petar Beron Primary School in the local village of Ovoshtnik and is held under the patronage of the mayor of Kazanlak Municipality, Mrs. Galina Stoyanova.

The competition attracted 700 children from 110 settlements. "Masks are still arriving even though the deadline was February 25," shared Dimitar Gaydarov, the director of Dr. Petar Beron Primary School and the competition organizer. He expressed excitement about the overwhelming and ongoing interest in the event. Mr. Gaydarov revealed that the number of masks has now exceeded 1,000 and thanked Kazanlak Municipality, the mayor, and the school team for their support in organizing the competition.

The exhibition will be shown on March 13 at the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria in Sofia, thanks to the support of the mayor of Kazanlak and the local Member of Parliament, Mrs. Iliana Zhekova.

During the official award ceremony on February 28, winners of first, second, and third places were recognized in various age categories for different distinctions: Best Traditional Kukeri Mask, Largest Kukeri Mask, and Smallest Kukeri Mask. Special awards were also presented, including one from the mayor of Kazanlak Municipality, another from the mayor of Ovoshtnik village, Mr. Damian Tsanev, and a special prize for authenticity and craftsmanship. Cultural institutions in Kazanlak also selected their own winners.

The awards were presented by Deputy Mayors Mrs. Srebra Kaseva and Mrs. Daniela Koeva, as well as the Secretary of Kazanlak Municipality, Mrs. Ginka Shtereva. Mrs. Kaseva expressed her gratitude to the organizers and emphasized that "the exhibition is highly educational and helps preserve traditions." She wished the participants continued creative success. Mrs. Daniela Koeva stated, "The scale of the competition proves that this is an idea worth continuing."

During the award ceremony, the organizers presented appreciation plaques to Mayor Galina Stoyanova and Deputy Mayor Srebra Kaseva.

All participants received certificates and medals for their involvement in the competition.

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This material was provided by Kazanlak Municipality.