The project of the Municipality of Troyan "Bulgarian Plum Festival" is an innovative cultural event in Troyan municipality, which is implemented with the financial support of Operational Programme "Regional Development" 2007-2013, co-financed by the European Union through the European Development Fund.

The festival is a continuation and development of new forms of the popular "Celebration of plum and Troyan brandy" having years of existence, popularity and fans among the local community and visitors to the town and municipality.
Traditionally the festival is held in the last week of September. It is related to the main occupation of Troyan region - growing plums, production Troyan plum brandy and other plum products. It gives opportunity to amateurs’ creativity and the development of crafts to express; it presents attractive demonstrations and rituals.
The foundation was laid at the National Exhibition of Folk Crafts in Oreshak in 1993. Since 1997 the festival is held in parallel in Troyan and the National Exhibition.

Twentieth anniversary edition is now "Bulgarian Plum Festival" and offers the participants and fans not only the events approved in time, but also new opportunities for participation by rich competition programme and new attractions.
The festival aims to preserve and revive the region’s cultural traditions, united by the artistic practices of art. It provides an opportunity for discussion and implementation of educational line in plum production and environment protection.

The investment is aimed at technological innovation, extending the range and providing opportunities to improve the conditions for social and cultural activities in modern conditions and broad participation of citizens.
The festival aims to increase the attractiveness of Troyan and its municipality and to create an attractive tourist destination, to enhance the role of culture and the introduction of innovative practices in conducting the events.
The project gives an opportunity for the development of a proven and accepted by the community tradition. It combines traditional occupation, crafts, creativity, which are trademarks of Troyan region.

Total project cost: 352,956.11 BGN

The project foresees:

- To promote the development, updating and enriching the cultural life by organizing and promoting cultural events as a factor in the development of the identity and the uniqueness of the region.

- To design and develop new forms of cultural perfomances, which are based on innovative ideas and practices.

- To create conditions for equal access to the culture of people from various social and ethnic groups and to facilitate their involvement in cultural processes.

Activities which will be implemented:

- Organizing and conducting an innovative event "Bulgarian Plum Festival";

- Activities for public awareness, promotion and publicity of innovative cultural event;

- Small-scale infrastructure activities related to the organization and conducting of innovative cultural event - accessible architectural environment for people with disabilities, implementation of development and renovation of spaces activities directly related to the implementation of innovative cultural event;

- Provision of  adequate equipment and fittings associated with the organized events: purchase of technical equipment and facilities (stages, fences, sound, lighting and video equipment, multimedia screens, etc.).

Expected results:

The event will provide an opportunity to involve and participate in the festival programme for people of all ages, social status, various ethnicity and interests.

The event will help to revive the cultural traditions, life and livelihood rituals of people through demonstrations and the forms of art, organizing educational and ecological actions in the local community.

The event will attract the participation of people from other regions and countries so as to become a national and international festival.

The event will become a sustainable destination for cultural tourism.