VI International traditional archery tournament "Historical Park 2025"
A considerable number of contestants once again came together for the traditional archery tournament at Historical Park in the year 2024, which continues to be the most spectacular contest of its kind, marking the biggest amount of foreign participation.
The ideal archery conditions coupled with the wonderful weather attracted many contestants and spectators alike. Inspiration, sportsmanship and friendship were what gathered together more than 180 participants from 13 countries around the globe. Expert archers from all over the world took part in the opportunity to show off their marksmanship prowess in 21 individual disciplines, as well as a team-oriented competition against a traditional Mongolian target.
The aspiration for the perfect short is what makes us work ever harder towards the goal of bettering ourselves. Said goal relies on striking a perfect balance between posture, movement and technique, achieving spiritual and mental purity, as well as exceptional concentration and the ability to overcome one’s own self.
An arrow’s flight is felt by the heart, as the soul of the archer takes flight alongside it, their senses delighting with the joy of an accurate shot.
The sixth edition of the grandiose and now traditional tournament will greet representatives of traditional archery clubs, as well as independent participants from Bulgaria and all over the world. The contestants will be given the chance to measure their strength through the use of a multitude of traditional bows.
Official guests at the tournament will once again be some of the most prominent archers from the country and abroad, together with researchers of traditional and intuitive archery, as well as craftsmen skilled in the creation of traditional bows.
An authoritative assembly of judges appointed by the Bulgarian Archery Federation will be tasked with assuring an impartial scoring process and fair placement of contestants.
The first round of the competition, featuring our youngest participants of up to 10 years of age, will begin on the morning of September 19th. For the third time this year, the main tournament will be preceded by the separate “Thracian Archer 2025” flight shooting contest, which will be held in the Park’s festival area on the afternoon of September 19th in two categories: using bows with a weight limit of up to 50 lb, and unlimited.
The main tournament will take place over the course of two days – on September 20th and 21st. Archers will measure their skill in various disciplines, such as: against a traditional Ottoman “Puta” target, 90 m distance shooting, shots against a spinning target, 3D target practice, shooting from a boat, angled shooting from a fortress wall, and shooting at different targets at a varying distance from 10 to 60 meters.
The tournament will be open to any archery enthusiast wishing to take part, as long as their participation has been declared in advance. Candidates are required to use a traditional bow without an arrow rest, and only one “nock point” for the strings. Any kind of grip is allowed. Additionally, archers must be prepared with at least 12 wooden arrows with a natural tip (or “self nock”), and be dressed in a traditional historical attire. It is prohibited to use triggers, sights, leveling devices, as well as any kind of modifications and markings on a bow, which could be used as a sight.
Participants in the main event will compete in four groups – children up to and including 10 years of age, adolescents up to and including 16 years of age, men and women.
The following entry fees are applicable:
Main event (men and women) – 100 lv. for early registration and payment up until 31.07
- 120 lv. from 01.08 up until the end of the registration period
Main event (adolescents) – 50 lv. for early registration and payment up until 31.07
- 60 lv. from 01.08 up until the end of the registration period
Flight <50 - 40 lv. for early registration and payment up until 31.07
- 50 lv. from 01.08 up until the end of the registration period
Flight >50 - 40 lv. for early registration and payment up until 31.07
- 50 lv. from 01.08 up until the end of the registration period
Free entry for children up to 10 years of age.
The main event fee includes lunch and a gala dinner on 20.09, lunch on 21.09, water in the shooting areas, as well as tea and coffee during lunch breaks.
The tournament for children up to 10 years old will be held on September 19th before noon. Children up to 10 years old will shoot from a shorter distance and are the only ones allowed to use arrows with plastic tips.
The group event will take place in the Park’s Festival Area on September 20th, after the conclusion of all primary disciplines. Teams can consist of representatives of different clubs and nations. Saturday evening will conclude with a traditional gala dinner for the contestants, a cultural program by some of our talented archers, as well as a special surprise by our hosts.
The award ceremony for the winners will take place on September 21st. Monetary and material awards will once again be provided by Historical Park, with the 2025 prize pool being higher than that of previous years.
Over the course of three tournament days Historical Park will open its doors to thousands of guests and admirers of history and culture, both from Bulgaria and all over the world. All visitors will have the chance to marvel in the ancient art and the exceptional skills of the masters of the bow and arrow.
LET US EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TOGETHER,
with the sixth international Traditional Archery Tournament “Historical Park 2025,” on September 19th, 20th and 21st in the year 2025, at Historical Park, in the village of Neofit Rilski.
For any questions regarding the contest, disciplines and equipment:
Emil Neshkinski
+359898651210
For general questions and organizational matters:
Boyan Petkov
+359899990532
