We present to you an interview with Bella Karatancheva, coach of Bulgaria’s rhythmic gymnastics club "Levski-Triaditza," who came to Azerbaijan for a training camp.

How is your training camp going?
– Our training camp is going very well. The hall is spacious and beautiful. In our hall back in Bulgaria, we don’t have the opportunity to change mats for each team, but here such conditions have been provided. This is a huge advantage for us. Our preparation went at a high level and was very beneficial for the teams.

Which competition are you preparing for at this training camp?
– We are currently preparing for the national championship to be held in Bulgaria. In March, a qualifying stage was held for this championship. The best teams qualify for the “elite” category based on the results of that stage.

What can you say about the new rules?
– These rules are quite difficult. At the last World Championship, we saw that the requirements became even stricter. It is very challenging for group routines teams to perform without mistakes. However, from the artistic component perspective, teams from all countries try to add more original elements to their programs. I think this is especially a very positive development for group routines teams.

Did you like Baku?
– Baku is very beautiful; it was to both me and the gymnasts’ liking. There are many beautiful and original architectural examples here, and the city’s lighting in the evening is magnificent. During our walk in the Old City, we loved the national atmosphere and were amazed by the city.

Which of our national dishes did you like?
– My favorite was the national dessert, pakhlava.