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90th anniversary since the birth of Bulgarian folklore singer Magda Pushkarova

Magda Pushkarova was a Bulgarian folklore singer from the Strandzha region in Southeastern Bulgaria. She was born on April 14, 1920 in the town of Malko Turnovo, learning a great number of songs as a child. Among the best-known songs from her repertoire are the “Tudoru, Tudoru”, “Lubili sa se lubili” and others. Stay on the waves of Radio Bulgaria to hear some of Magda Pushkarova’s songs.

Magda Pushkarova was the first widely known singer from the Strandzha region. The Bulgarian poet Asen Razcvetnikov called her a “Strandzha folklore magician.” According to writer Kostadin Dinchev, Ms. Pushkarova was a true star, characterized by the extreme authenticity of her style. Music specialist Mihail Bukureshtliev, who has written a book about the singer admires her warm and smooth voice, while folk singer Vulkana Stoyanova says Magda Pushkarova was the most beautiful singing flower on the folklore stage.

Magda Pushkarova’s hometown of Malko Turnovo is situated in the heart of the Strandzha Mountain region. There Magda learned a vast number of folk songs from relatives and friends. She went to Sofia in 1944 where she went to an audition in the radio. The commission applauded her performances of unheard before Strandzha folk songs. She was immediately invited to sing in a Radio Sofia programme. In 1951 Magda Pushkarova became one of the co-founders of the Philip Kutev folklore ensemble together with Vulkana Stoyanova and Yordanka Ilieva. She toured Bulgaria many times and staged concerts all over the country.

This year we mark the 90th anniversary since the birth of Bulgarian folk singer Magda Pushkarova, who enjoyed the love of fans and the respect of musicians till the very end of her life. More than 100 of her songs are kept in the music fund of the Bulgarian National Radio. Her soft voice and lovely Strandzha songs will not be forgotten. Her unique work is also a tribute to the greatness of the Bulgarian folklore song and its unknown authors.

English version: Alexander Markov
По публикацията работи: Valya Bozhilova


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