Today, one of the most interesting types of recreation is recognized as the so-called event tourism. It means that a traveler comes to Munich during the «Oktouber Fest», to Kamyanets-Podilskyi for the city day, and to Sergievka — in early August, when the «Tsara Bessarabska» festival is held here.
Who is this «Tsara Bessarabska» and why exactly she is entrusted to entertain the guests of Sergeyevka, an inexpensive and very effective balneological resort of the Northern Black Sea coast. Tsara is a festival that invites people involved in traditional art or land art, keepers of authentics and artists who favor the folklore genre.
«Tsara Bessarabska» takes place in 3 days. Given the fact that the festival was «born» in 2011, it is organized in a similar way to the most advanced European art-land events. Artists, Creators and Masters present their works in equal proportions. At the same time, the organizers — the public organization «Center for the Development of the resort of Sergeevka», are not afraid to invite young, openly informal or experimental groups, which makes «Tsara» one of the brightest festivals on the continent.
Like most European festivals, the festival in Sergeyevka is held on several venues. There is a stage built on the seashore. Fenced area on the spit separating Shabolatsky estuary from the Black Sea. The steppe area, convenient for performances of equestrian theater and master classes of certified witch doctors and sorcerers, is very popular.
Traditionally, on the first festival day at the «Tsar of Bessarabia» the hosts demonstrate to the guests and participants pictures from the history of Bessarabia. These include hordes of mounted Amazons, the life of Prince Bessarab, chronicles of Dobrudja, and the history of colonization of this region. Professional theater directors are usually invited for these «living pictures», so this action does not leave any spectator indifferent.
After the «presentation» of the region, the mayor of Sergeyevka takes the floor and starts the festival. Then the stage for the whole day is given to folklore groups. They come to «Tsara Bessarabska» from all corners of Ukraine, from neighboring countries, as well as from countries where there is a Ukrainian diaspora. For example, from the USA, Canada, Argentina or Israel.
In parallel with the main stage, on other sites of the festival there are workshops where everyone can learn how to weave a basket, make an amulet or show the principle of operation of the potter’s wheel. At the same time, in tents made of liman reeds, mamaliga and soup is stewing and bubbling in cauldrons, lamb is roasted and corn is boiled. In addition, anyone can buy at a reasonable price the result of the work of a folk master — an embroidered embroidery, a pair of boots made of linen or a bag made of hemp fibers.
On the second day of the festival all workshops are open, but the stage is given to rock, avant-garde and alternative bands. On other platforms keepers of traditions reconstruct an ancient rite — a wedding or «obzhinki», in which anyone can take part. The third day is a performance of the most favorite groups, as well as awarding diplomas to all participants of the event.
Thanks to «Tsar Bessarabian» in the near future rest in Sergeevka will become no less popular than in the village of Pirogovo, in Pamplona or Munich. Although those who are going to visit the Black Sea coast in August are unlikely to go to Spain or Germany. Only Odessa region, only Sergeyevka and its Bessarabska Tsara!