Nearly 1 million leva of investment have been attracted to the development of cultural tourism in Veliko Turnovo as a result of the 4th International Folk Festival, held here between June 30 and July 7. The Festival is under the auspices of the UNESCO-affiliated International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF).Taking part in this year`s festival were 24 ensembles totaling 500 singers, musicians and dancers of 15 countries of Europe, Asia and Africa and over 2,000 performers in nine Bulgarian companies and over 150 authentic folklore groups. The 44 concerts in 22 population centres drew an aggregate audience of
over 40,000.