Bulgaria is the world’s music sponsor!

What is Bulgaria? – Everyone has an answer for themselves. Ensamble “Bulgare”’s show „This is Bulgaria“ takes us back to our roots, to our originality, while foreigners get to know the unique and ancient Bulgarian culture.

“I am beautiful, young lad

I shine on the whole world”

This is a line form a flok song from the Rhodope which praises the beauty of the bulgarian woman. A person’s and creator’s story start with these lines, which you cannot stay indifferent to.

Albena Veskova, the folk singer had a long standing partnership with the choir „The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices“ both nationally and intern ationally, and since 2002 she has been a soloist in the ensemble “Bulgare”. This is the song which she sings with pleasure, and thanks to which the most wonderful thing happened in her. Her fans say that when she sings, she seems to shine with beauty, voice, rhytm…

When Hristo Dimitrovm the founder of ensemble “Bulgare” saw and heard her, he fals in love with her, charmed bu her talent. Soon after, the became a family and a very good creative tandem. This is how the folk song unites the people, makes them happy and lends them wings.

Albena, what is the folk song for you?

I am a singer from the Rhodope and I always prefer singing songs from that region. I grew up with the beautiful tune and the text of „Bella sum, bella“ and it has taken me back to my roots. I was born in Assenovgradи. I have lived in Sofia for seven years and what I miss a lot is the family connection, the family reunions, where we all sing.

The songs from the Rhodope are the most difficult to sing. Unless God has given you a strong enough voice, whatever effort you make, it will not work. Bulgarian folk songs are varied – slow and fast, sad and joyful.

Bulgaria is the world’s sponsor of music rhytms, because the time beats are more varried than any other beats taken together. The world knows 2/4, 3/4 and their variations, some Balkan countries 5/8, 7/8 and that’s it. Bulgaria has all the rest.

Mr. Dimitrov, is Bulgarian folklore of current interest?

It is a gift from God fond nowher in the world and noone can explain its uniqueness. Without exaggeration, I would call it the eight wonder of the world. This is our uniqe face to the world. It is a pitty that there are children who do not understand wht folklore means. We – the media, parents, teachers – must teach the young generation in the old traditions which our peoples have preserved through the centuries.

Ensamble “Balgare” tours the whole world. The singers, musicians and dancers are proud of being Bulgarians. Albena herself states confidently that “Bulgaria is the Paradise”. She wants the young people to live and create in Bulgaria, to discover the incredible Bulgarian nature, to preserve our famous traits like hospitality and being good neighbours. She promises to sing for many years ahead because floklore is the wonder which preserves a nation, the wonder that creates and educates values and principles.

The show “This is Bulgaria”,

with which ensemble “Bulgare” won the ovation on home and foreign stages, includes seven depictions. They represent the particularities of the seven folklore regions in Bulgaria: Rhodope, Macedonia, Shopluka, Norther Bulgaria, Dobroudja, Strandja, Thrace. This is how the regions are described by the show authors:

Rhodope – the mountain which gave the bulgarian folklore the most majestic and unforgettable songs. Today it is famous for the best youghurt and the purest water.

Macedonia – When the white pines of Pirin whisper, the wind sings the songs about the voivodes Iane Sandanski and Gotse Delchev, the prayers of mothers, and the widowed wives’ sobbing, and the oaths of the revolutionaries are heard. Oaths in the name of a cherished dream – united Bulgaria.

Shopluka – “Why should I get agry when I’ll get over it” the jocular people from Shopluka laugh the troubles away. And their dances are proverbial for the swiftness and the typical steps.

Northern Bulgaria – the land between the Danube River and the Balkan Mountain which has given joyful and brisk dances that are often wrapped in mysticism and mistery. Proud, handsome men and coquettish women, and a lot of love.

Dobroudja – where the land yields the blades of life from which the people of Dobroudja make the softest, tasty bread. The land that charmed Khan Asparuh, so he thrust his sword in it with the words “Bulgaria shall be here!”

Strandja – the land of fire-dancers. The people protected by unknown powers and who dance on live coals. The ritual is full of mysticism, supersticion and religiousness. The music pours from the depths of the supernatural.

Thrace– the most generous land in Bulgaria. The best musicians improvisers are born there. There are the most beautiful women, lang of rose and wine aromas.