The first pop-ethno festival Folk Fusion brings together folklore richness and modern sound in Kyustendil
Written by Team Balkanika on 25.06.2026
The first pop-ethno festival Folk Fusion brings together folklore richness and modern sound in Kyustendil
On July 18 at 8:00 p.m., the Hisarlaka area in Kyustendil will become the stage for one of the most interesting and innovative music events of the summer — the first edition of the pop-ethno festival Folk Fusion 2026.
Folk Fusion is a one-of-a-kind festival with no equivalent in Bulgaria, bringing together the richness of Bulgarian folklore and the energy of contemporary pop music. The festival’s main mission is to present Bulgarian folk art in a modern and accessible way, so that it can reach the younger generation. While preserving the authenticity of traditions, Folk Fusion “translates” them into the musical language of today’s listener.
The event provides a platform for artists working in the pop-ethno genre and proves that folklore motifs, combined with modern arrangements, are a vibrant and inspiring source for new original works. In this way, the festival creates a unique musical dialogue between generations, connecting roots with the future, and local cultural identity with global music trends.
Taking the stage in the iconic Hisarlaka area will be some of the most recognizable and beloved names who successfully combine traditional vocal techniques with a contemporary pop sound: Trio Bulgarina, Bisera and Lidia, Radostina Nikolova, Ivan Palanov, Teodora, and Iva and Velislava Kostadinovi.
A special highlight of the evening program will be the exclusive set by DJ Teddy Georgo, who will charge the space with a unique club energy and modern interpretations based on folklore.
Admission to the event is free for all residents and guests of Kyustendil who want to experience folklore in an entirely new way and feel the vibe of the modern ethno wave.
Folk Fusion is more than a music festival — it is a cultural experience and a forum where tradition does not remain in the past, but becomes a bridge to the future. The organizers invite music lovers to become part of an unforgettable evening where past and present meet on one stage, and folklore comes alive with a new voice!
Folk Fusion — Feel the Vibe!
The organizers of the festival are BG Music Channel, Kyustendil Municipality, BG Music, Music Media Cluster, and the “For a Better Life” Foundation.
The media partners of the event are Fen TV, Balkanika Music Television, Fen Folk TV, Radio Rhythm +, Radio Zorana, and Radio Ultra.
