Balgarianovinite.com The 14th National Festival of Sheep Breeders in Bulgaria has officially begun near the Sts Peter and Paul Monastery, close to Lyaskovets on Friday. Over the course of the three-day event, visitors can experience nearly every aspect of traditional Bulgarian life, livelihood, and customs.
This year’s edition brings together more than 70 handicrafts workers, over 60 farmers and producers of farm-made food and beverages, more than 30 exhibitors from the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber, and over 20 manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural machinery, equipment, animal feed, organic and natural products. The programme features numerous musicians, dancers, and chefs, along with a variety of games and entertainment activities.
Among the official guests attending the opening were President Iliana Iotova, Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovski, Agriculture and Food Deputy Minister Krum Nedelkov, MP Aleksandar Uzunov, Veliko Tarnovo Regional Governor Marin Bogomilov, Lyaskovets Mayor Vasil Hristov, Gorna Oryahovitsa Mayor Nikolay Rashkov, and the organizer of the festival National Sheep and Goat Breeders Association co-chair Simeon Karakolev.
Also present were Commission for Protection of Competition Chair Rosen Karadimov, Bulgarian Development Bank Supervisory Board Chair Delyana Ivanova, and Deputy Executive Directors of the State Fund Agriculture, Iva Ivanova and Dimitar Gorov.
The National Festival of Sheep Breeders in Bulgaria is organized with the support of the Agriculture and Food Ministry and with the assistance of the municipalities of Veliko Tarnovo, Lyaskovets, and Gorna Oryahovitsa.
In her opening speech, President Iotova described the National Festival of Sheep Breeders in Bulgaria as a celebration of the Bulgarian spirit. Iotova said that Bulgaria needs to “take control of its own food supply and support the men and women who feed the country,” noting that “the food of every Bulgarian citizen is a matter of national security”. How farmers do this should be left to their will and decision, whether through cooperatives or individual farmers, she said. Iotova noted that they should choose, and the institutions and the State should stand behind them. She added that making agriculture a priority does not require discussions, because Bulgaria has traditions.
Agriculture and Food Minister Abrovski expressed confidence that Bulgaria’s sheep breeding sector could overcome its current difficulties. “Sheep breeding is currently in crisis, but I am convinced that together we can reverse this trend and turn it into a successful product niche not only in Bulgaria, but also create conditions for exports,” Abrovski said.
Lyaskovets Mayor Hristov congratulated farmers on their persistence and on the efforts that ensured quality Bulgarian products reached people’s tables. Addressing producers, he said that their work was not easy, and that was exactly what made it even more valuable, both for the sector’s development and for preserving Bulgarian traditions. He added that thanks to them, future generations would have the chance to know the true Bulgarian taste.
Event organizer and National Sheep and Goat Breeders Association co-chair Simeon Karakolev said guests from 15 countries were attending this year’s gathering, reflecting its growing international importance. He called on the authorities to protect Bulgarian producers, whom he described as “endangered”, and urged the government to focus future measures on preserving and reviving domestic production.
Speaking at the opening, Bulgarian Development Bank Supervisory Board Chair Ivanova said the bank traditionally and actively supports Bulgarian agriculture and domestic production sectors that strengthen the national economy and provide livelihoods for many Bulgarian families. Ivanova said the bank offered various financial products and guarantee schemes supporting both investment and working capital needs. According to Ivanova, the bank enables the state to create sustainable financial instruments that support the long-term development of Bulgarian production. National Festival of Sheep Breeders in Bulgaria Opens 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-05-22 15:22:05 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law