Čalgija

Čalgija or Chalgiya (Macedonian language: Чалгија; Bulgarian language: Чалгия) is a Macedonian and Bulgarian music genre, often referred to as Pop-folk, which also is a subgenre of the old urban traditional folk music (starogradska muzika) of Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Čalgija or Chalgiya is performed by ensembles called Čalgii (Чалгии) with instruments such as a dajre (tambourine) and tarabuka (hourglass drum) providing percussion for ut (lute), kanun (zither), clarinet and violin.

Čalgija or Chalgiya is an old part of the whole Macedonian and Bulgarian folklore art (this includes the rural folklore as well) and it should not be confused with Chalga (a contemporary Turbofolk music style in Bulgaria).