Community center Napredak 1869 – Gorna Oryahovitsa

Community center Napredak (Progress) 1869 is the oldest cultural institute in the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa (North Bulgaria). It was founded in 1869 by some of the most educated local people – Vicho Grancharov, a revolutionary from the time of Vasil Levski, and the teacher Radko Radoslavov. Boris Pilatov, Petko Kirchev and other prominent local men developed the choir activity in the town. In 1960 Atanas Bahchevanov established the Youth Theater. Nowadays several ensembles are still functioning – mixed choir Slaviansko Edinstvo (Slav Unity) and folklore ensemble Sider Voyvoda. During its 50-year existence the folklore ensemble has given over 3,500 concerts. It has won 15 gold medals from national festivals and contests and 3 big awards from international festivals in Italy, Tunis and Poland. Child-youth folklore ensemble Guslarche (child playing on rebec) was established in 1966, winner of international awards from Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Italy, Germany, etc. Nowadays 123 children from 3 to 18 year old sing and dance in nine ensembles of the formation – 4 vocal and 5 for modern ballet.