Oldest Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in U.S. to host ethnic festival Sept. 30 in Madison

“Holy Trinity” Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church hosts tribute to Bulgarian culture

“Holy Trinity” Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church will host its fourth Annual Bulgarian Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2023 on-site at 1300 Grand Avenue, Madison, Ill.

Their first three festivals were met with a very enthusiastic and encouraging response, exceeding the church’s expectations for attendance and garnering local media attention.

The parishioners of “Holy Trinity” are working very hard to make this year’s festival an even greater success. Their ultimate goal is to establish this Bulgarian festival as one of the area’s preeminent annual cultural events that attracts an impressive number of attendees from the metropolitan region and well beyond.

The festival will benefit “Holy Trinity” Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, a remarkable and celebrated landmark of great cultural and historical significance. Founded in 1907, “Holy Trinity” has the distinction of being the first and oldest Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church established outside of Bulgaria. Proceeds will be used to complete key church renovations and ensure the continued preservation of this noteworthy institution.

The church notes its pride in sharing its rich heritage with the community. The Festival will feature mouthwatering, authentic Bulgarian food, including “pecheno agne” (slow-roasted lamb with traditional seasonings), “spanachnik” (layers of buttered filo dough filled with Bulgarian feta and spinach), “karnacheta” (grilled Bulgarian sausages), “shopska salata” (Bulgarian specialty salad and winner of the European Parliament’s contest for “best dish in Europe”), “kyopolou” (roasted eggplant and red pepper spread), “baklava” (layered filo dough with walnuts and cinnamon in a honey-vanilla syrup), and more.

The Bulgarian Festival will also feature live music by the popular Chicago-based Bulgarian folk ensemble “Bulgarika,” performances by the folk dance groups “Zhiv Ogun,” “BG Spirit,” and “Zagora,” and many opportunities for attendees to learn the dances themselves.

A truly family-friendly event, the Festival will feature inflatables and other activities for children of all ages. Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to see the church’s beautiful Orthodox icons and stained glass windows as well as learn about various Bulgarian cultural and religious traditions and symbols.

Admission to the Bulgarian Festival is free. With authentic food, music, and dancing, as well as games and activities for all age groups, there will be hours of fun for everyone. The church invites the community to immerse themselves for one day in the rich culture and traditions of Bulgaria: “Nazdrave! Cheers!”

For additional information, visit www.bulfest.org.

 

Photos courtesy “Holy Trinity” Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church