Journalist Genadi Marinov, the long-time editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Troyan 21" and this year's "Troyan Rakia Master," lit the traditional copper still for distilling rakia in front of the local community center building. He performed the ritual alongside the Mayor of Troyan Municipality, Donka Mihaylova, and the event was concluded by the amateur performers of the "Izgrev – 1926" Community Center from the village of Beli Osam with a performance of the festival anthem.

The 33rd edition of the Bulgarian Plum Festival in Troyan began with plenty of music, tradition, and a festive atmosphere. The event brings local residents and guests together around the most recognizable symbols of the Troyan region – the plum itself and the rakia produced from it. The official opening of the celebration was held at the central "Vazrazhdane" Square by Mayor Donka Mihaylova, who welcomed the attendees with bread, salt, and traditional Troyan plum rakia.

In her speech, Mihaylova emphasized that the festival is an expression of the city's vitality, combining local entrepreneurship with deep-rooted traditions. "We, the people of Troyan, know how to turn deficits into positives. Our ancestors, who lived on this not-so-fertile land in the Prebalkan mountains, managed to turn clay into ceramic vessels decorated with the wonderful Troyan pattern. They managed to turn the tiny Troyan plum into the finest Bulgarian, and not just Bulgarian, rakia," she shared. The Mayor added that the celebration is an occasion for the self-irony characteristic of Troyan locals: "Because only we, the people of Troyan, know that a red plum is actually green. We know that the tiny plum has the greatest ambition, and we know how to turn a plum into a career." She concluded by saying that the festival is connected not only to the past but also to the future of the city, expressing gratitude to the brass bands, majorettes, and community centers that serve as the "spirit of the festival."

Deputy Minister of Culture Assoc. Prof. Plamen Slavov also congratulated Troyan and delivered a congratulatory address from the Minister of Culture, Evtim Miloshev, to the Mayor. He emphasized that the festival demonstrates the unity of culture and livelihood, adding: "This significant celebration, the 33rd edition of the Bulgarian Plum Festival, once again demonstrates the strength of the unity between tradition, livelihood, and culture. The age-old tradition of the region's inhabitants meets modern livelihood opportunities and a cultural tradition passed down from generation to generation, from the youngest children to adults through the family, because the traditions of our people are traditions that continue to sustain us even today." Assoc. Prof. Slavov also congratulated the young participants, as well as the "Troyan" Municipal Youth Brass Band and Majorettes and the community center performers, noting that their presence ensures the future through children and grandchildren. He wished everyone: "May the work of all those who, through tradition, show how past, present, and future can be intertwined, be blessed."

A central part of the program was the traditional parade, organized by the Troyan Municipality and the "Nauka – 1870" Community Center. The procession started from the Small Market and proceeded along the main commercial street, led by the Representative Municipal Youth Brass Band and Majorettes "Troyan" and an actor carrying the festival symbol – the statue. Over 200 participants took part in the parade, divided into thematic blocks dedicated to plum cultivation and the production of plum-based products. For the second year in a row, the virtual heroes from the GoTroyan mobile app – Slivko Troyanski and Elenko Osamski – also participated in the parade.

During the procession, special surprises were organized for the participants – the "Merry Stop," where they had the chance to sample plum rakia and plums straight from the tree, and following the parade, they were invited to the "Sobriety Session."

The festival program includes:

  • A concert by the "Trayana" Folklore Ensemble and the Municipal Youth Brass Band and Majorettes;
  • A culinary show featuring chefs Radi Stambolov, Hristo Ichev, Toni Ivanov, Vladimir Petkov, and Nikolay Terziev, in collaboration with students from the "Hotelier and Restaurateur" class at the "Vasil Levski" High School – Troyan;
  • A "Crafts Street" with over 230 exhibitors, live craft demonstrations, children's creative workshops, and traditional food tastings;
  • An afternoon exhibition titled "Packaging and Alcohol" at the Museum of Crafts;
  • A presentation of the book "To Pet the Smoke" by Gergana Yosifova at the Tourist Information Center;
  • An evening concert featuring Svetla Dukateva and the "Balkanski Ogan" folklore ensemble.