The third "Trahanata – slow food, nature and crafts" festival is under way at the ancient Armira villa near Ivaylovgrad. Ivaylovgrad municipality and Temenuzhka Mateva, with her "Noshvi" workshop, organise it.

Money raised at the festival will go towards restoring a building with a museum exhibition at the church in the village of Pelevun. The exhibition keeps alive the memory of Captain Petko Voyvoda.

What happened before: Vice president-elect Kiril Valchev visits Ivaylovgrad

Kiril Valchev, who was elected vice president on 1 November, came to Ivaylovgrad on Saturday and joined the festival. Ivaylovgrad mayor Diana Ovcharova welcomed him at the villa. Valchev greeted the guests on behalf of President Iliana Yotova.

Valchev, who is director general of BTA, the Bulgarian news agency, said traditions and knowledge must be passed from one generation to the next. He added that Bulgaria also faces the task of getting more Bulgarians to return home, while children stay here.

Makers of traditional and fermented foods, craftspeople, farmers, researchers and artists have come from Bulgaria and Romania. Special guests are descendants of Bulgarian settlers from the Romanian village of Izvoarele, who keep the language, customs and cooking traditions of their ancestors.

Visitors can taste local products, watch demonstrations of traditional crafts and cooking skills, join workshops and hear folk performances. There are activities for children and book presentations. The documentary "For a Few Lumps of Cheese" is also screened at the festival.