The first edition of “Baltagul” Festival from Borca village, Neamt County was officially opened on September 12, 2010 by the mayor of Borca village, Mr. Vasile Aleca and the vice president of Neamt County Council, Mr. Mircea Pintilie. After few years when this festival was on hold, this year the local authorities with the support of Neamt County Council and “Carmen Saeculare” Cultural and Art Center manage to organize this festival that promotes the traditional values of folk music and folk choreography.

At the event participated many folk bands from different villages. The bands that were in the contest were: Braduletul” from Tazlau, „Ozana” from Targu Neamt, „Dor vanatorean” from Vanatori, „Drumul Baltagului” from Borca, „Cununita” from Ilva Mare, Bistrita Nasaud and „Cetina Calimanilor” from Saru Dornei, Suceava.

The contest was won by „Ozana” band from Targu Neamt, on second place was „Cetina Calimanilor” band from saru Dornei, Suceava and on third place was „Cununita” Band from Ilva Mare, Bistrita Nasaud. Special mentions were received by „Dor vanatorean” band from Vanatori village and „Braduletul” band from Tazlau. The special prize of the jury was won by „Drumul Baltagului” band and Gheorghe Anastasiei from Borca village, Neamt County.

Beside the contest on the stage from “Baltagul” Festival also performed artists from Neamt County: Narcis Precup, Ionut Matei, Brandusa Diaconu Chirita and Ioan Hongu from the folk band „Floricica de la munte”.

The surprise of the festival was represented by artists Sofia Vicoveanca, Geta Postolache and Pamfil Roata.

Sofia Vicoveanca said: „I’ve been to Borca when I was an employee at the band Ciprian Porumbescu, where I developed myself as an artist and as a person. I remember that we came to Dorna, where we were accommodated and then we played in villages like Borca, Farcasa, Brosteni. Last year I was to Farcasa, where they celebrated the days of the commune in open air near the forest. I have many memories of Neamt County. On October the 1st I’ll have 51 years of activity. You realize that I have quite a few memories of this place. Neamt County is a beautiful place. And there, in Piatra Neamt, you made a really nice town. I was there when you opened the Complex „Peste Vale” and I admired the town.”

Pamfil Roata said: „I’m glad to see at Borca such an initiative. I’ve seen today many folk bands of young people and also local bands and I was glad. For me, at 40 years of activity in the traditional music it was quite impressive. I’ve seen a few authentic bands and the archaic songs made me feel good: I should come more often to this area. I congratulate the persons that organized this activity and I wish you to continue it. It’s a good start, especially to Borca, where so many cultural and historical roads intersect each other.”