The Songs of the Dobrudja region, with their rich themes and gentle melodies, have become popular with the voices of dozens of Bulgarian folk singers. Songs about rebels, evening gatherings, love, family and historical themes are part of the repertoire of one of the most famous and beloved singers in the northeastern Bulgarian region – Dobra Savova. We celebrate this week her 80th anniversary.

Born on April 22, 1932 in the village Korúten, Dobrich, she grew up in a musical family, which respected and tried to preserve the Bulgarian traditions. The youngest of seven children, she learned songs from her elder brothers and sisters, and also from the dances at the village square. She still recalls the words of her mother: "If there were no memories, there would be no songs." Her repertoire is proof of this – it consists of real stories.

The singing talent of Dobra Savova’s family remained known only in her native village of Korúten. Yet Dobra participated in amateur groups and was spotted by talent hunters in the 1950s. Only 17 years ago, with a soft warm voice, she impressed the jury of the festival in the district town of Dobrich. She was invited to make her first recordings in Radio Varna.
Ten years later, her songs brought the spirit of Dobrudja into Sofia - today there are about 150 recordings of hers in the fund of the BNR. She gave concerts across the country and abroad and had many fans. "When I heard your songs, I was convinced that Dobrudja could give birth not only to golden blades of wheat, but also to singers with golden voices”, one of her fans wrote in a letter to her. And Mr. Derrick from Birmingham, fascinated by the Bulgarian folklore, visited her home where she gave him an album of her songs and sang for him in an authentic costume from the Dobrudja region.
Ethnomusicologists also give high praise for her performances. Manol Todorov said about her: “Dobra Savova is a remarkable singer with a warm, velvety voice that enchants listeners. She represents a whole era in Dobrudja folklore”. Mihail Bukureshtliev described her as "a master of the slow songs and an example for the new generation of singers."

This song earned Dobra Savova a gold medal at the 1968 singing contest "In honor of haidouks" held near Sliven. The singer won a gold medal also at the national folk arts fair in Koprivshtitsa in 1971 for two of her songs „Stoyan was saying to his mother” и „Young maiden Gana was sitting in the garden”. Another prestigious award in her rich collection of distinction is the Golden lyre bestowed by the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers.

From 1976 until her retirement, Dobra Savova was soloist in the ensemble for folk songs and dances in Varna. After this period, she became vocal teacher sharing her experience with young performers. For her 75th anniversary, her label Gega New released a CD with 18 tracks and the album title is her most famous song "Autumn is coming" - a magnificent portrait of the everyday Bulgarian life in the past.

For Dobra Savova’s birthday on April 22, the municipality of Krushari where the singer is an honorary citizen has organized a festive concert. It will be held in the cultural community center of her native village Koriten featuring amateur performers.

Virtuoso accordion player Ibro Lolov turns 80
The performer of temperamental shoppe chain dance Ibro Lolov, a remarkable name in Bulgarian instrumental folklore, has recently turned 80, as well.
The first ever recording he made for the Bulgarian national radio was the Filipovsko chain dance – its bears the name of a Roma settlement on the outskirts of Sofia.

"I live with folk music and with the accordion, and the applause and flowers are my reward for my hard work”, Ibro Lolov says.
Born on April 20, 1932 in Sofia in a family where music was a necessity, emotion and passion. All his relatives played musical instruments and his grandmother was a good singer. There were often musicians playing in his home and he was always sitting next to his father, clarinet player Lolo Naudenov to measure the beat on a drum.
He received his first accordion when he was 7 years old and since then chidlren’s games stopped existing for him. He dreamed of becming as good as legendary Boris Karlov whose recordings young Ibro listened on the radio.
His strong passion for folk music and his fateful encounter with the music editor of the Bulgarian National Radio Georgi Boyadjiev led him to professional events. In the 1950s, he recorded his first Filipovsko chain dance for the musical archives of the BNR. In the following decades he recorded some gems in Bulgarian folklore like "Shoppe dance", "Kyustendilsko dance", Radomirsko dance"," Kopanitsa "and others.

Along with the recording activity, the musician gave concerts in Bulgaria and abroad. He received applause for his virtuoso stylish performances. Among his most valuable awards is the first prize at the International Festival "The heart of the accordion" in Paris in the 1980s. He won it in competition with musicians from sixteen countries.

Ibro Lolov has many admirers, among them prominent musicians like clarinet player Petko Radev. Here's what he wrote years ago on his 40-year creative career: “We can rightly call Ibro Lolov the founder of the Shoppe accordion style. His pure melody, his distinctive staccato style, the inexhaustible temperament, the variety of rhythms and pace, and creative longevity are qualities that few folk musicians can boast with”. After so many decades of active concert and recording activities, Ibro Lolov is already a legend. He can rightly be proud of everything he did for his followers in playing the accordion.

Written by Valya Bozhilova
English version Rossitsa Petcova