Ayliak Parade (Open Workshops in April and How to Join the Parade)

Ayliak Parade (Open Workshops and How to Join the Parade)

A series of open workshops where you can craft your own carnival mask and costume and then head for the Aylyak Parade. The parade, a highlight of the programme of Plovdiv European Capital of Culture 2019, will take place along Plovdiv's main street on 4 May 2019 (Saturday).

IN APRIL

6 April (Saturday) - 2pm - 7pm

7 April (Sunday) - 10am - 2pm

13 April (Saturday) - 2pm - 7pm

14 April (Sunday) - 10am - 2pm

20 April (Saturday) - 2pm - 7pm

21 April (Sunday) - 10am - 2pm

LOCATION

SKLAD, 16 Ekzarh Yosif Str, floor 4

Admission is free!

If you are an artist, either by force of circumstance or natural-born -

If you feel your talent "itching" and just love to see beauty come out from under your fingers -

If you'd rather be in the thick of things than just look on -

If you love to support a good cause -

If you're proud of where you were born, or live in the City of Ayliak --

If you love to join or host parties, make new friends and try out things you've never tried before -

- you're in the right place.

You will have the opportunity to create your own carnival mask and parade costume by using some of our pre-designed models and templates, or by designing -- by yourself or with help from us -- your own unique model that fits into the parade's concept. Should you need assistance, advice or guidance, we'll be there for you with materials, tools and space for you to become the creative you you've always wanted to be.

Let's do it #TOGETHER! The Ayliak is waiting!

Ayliak Parade is a communal art project by the ZHAR Teatar-Izkustvo-Kultura Foundation. Partners so far are the Plovdiv-based community cultural centres Vazrazhdane 1983, Mladost 1983, P.R. Slaveykov 1908, Nâzım Hikmet 1922 and N. Vaptsarov 1928; the Dusho Hadzhidekov School; the Centre for Support of Personal Development; the Municipal Children's Centre and the Olga Skobeleva Social Services Complex. International partners are HANDMADE PARADE (UK) and STALKER TEATRO (Italy).

What makes Ayliak Parade unique is that it is not a mechanical miscellany of marching groups and collectives, but an integrated moving spectacle made up of multiple components (participants-made large-sized dolls and mobile installations, specially created actors' performances, amusement facilities, dances and music).

The participants will be grouped into sections that will be marching one after the other (a smaller or larger group of participants dressed in similarly looking costumes and sharing a choreography, action piece or performance. They will come out together with a large-sized object put in the centre - a doll or a mobile installation). Each section will have its own outward appearance and features - but all will be united by aylyak, the specially designed theme that's a direct link to Plovdiv.

As a connection between the separate parts, groups of professional or amateur musicians will join and contribute to the event's music environment.

A few brief halts are planned during the parade. These include the Dzhumaya Mosque, the Kamenitsa Stairs and Stefan Stambolov Sq. The short stays will be venues for interactive performances and etudes with passers-by.

The project's main goal is to offer Plovdivians and guests of the city an opportunity for creative inclusion and artistic participation.