A considerable number of contestants once again came together for the traditional archery tournament at Historical Park in the year 2025, 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 240 participants from 14 countries around the globe. Expert archers from all over the world took part in the opportunity to show off their marksmanship prowess in 20 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 seventh 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 of the tournament will be Peter Bogar and Valeria Bogarova - married couple from Slovakia, also professional team united by a lifelong dedication to traditional archery, historical reconstruction and culture heritage. Founders and developers of Bogar archery, creators and producers of Vegh bows, becoming very popular worldwide. 

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 18th. For the third time this year, the main tournament will be preceded by the separate “Thracian Archer 2026” flight shooting contest, which will be held in the Park’s festival area on the afternoon of September 18th 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 19th and 20th. Archers will measure their skill in various disciplines, such as: against a traditional Ottoman “Puta” target, distant target shooting, shots against a spinning and moving  targets, 3D target practice, shooting from a boat, angled shooting from a fortress wall, and shooting at different targets at a varying distance from 8 to 145 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) – 90 EUR for early registration and payment up until 31.07

                                                          - 110 EUR from 01.08 up until the end of the registration period

Main event (adolescents) – 45 EUR for early registration and payment up until 31.07

                                                          - 55 EUR from 01.08 up until the end of the registration period

Flight <50 - 30 EUR for early registration and payment up until 31.07

                                                          - 40 EUR from 01.08 up until the end of the registration period

Flight >50 - 30 EUR for early registration and payment up until 31.07

                                                          - 40 EUR 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 19.09, lunch on 20.09, 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 18th 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 19th, 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 20th. Monetary and material awards will once again be provided by Historical Park.

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 seventh international Traditional Archery Tournament “Historical Park 2026,” on September 18th, 19th and 20th in the year 2026, 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