A new Bulgarian ethno project has emerged in the UK at the initiative of singers Sofia Georgieva and Viktoriya Mancheva. Driven by their desire to promote Bulgarian folklore, the two ladies have chosen the name “Zemela” - a Thracian goddess of the Earth, plants and fertility. Since antiquity she has been perceived as a symbol of love, beauty, warmth, splendor and power.

Sofia Georgieva is a pop singer and Viktoriya Mancheva - a folk singer who was part of the London Bulgarian Choir and a founding member of the Perunika trio (meaning Iris). The two met in England after 15 years of separation and decided to combine their love of music in a joint project.

The first song of the duo - "Horses" is a new interpretation of the popular song "Chichovite konye" which was on the soundtrack to Kusturica’s movie Underground composed by Goran Bregovic. The work on Zemela’s single brought together an entirely Bulgarian team in London. The recording was made by Nedyalko Nedyalkov – shepherd’s flute, and Dimitar Dimitrov aka Dundee  percussions, the arrangement was done by Miroslav Getchev. The song has a video to it directed by Nikolai Barulov, which you can watch here.

On March 22, Zemela will perform at the Spring Festival of Bulgarian folklore and traditions in London. The event is organized by Marina Ivanova and the Bulgarian Folklore and Traditions charity foundation. The festival will be attended by bands and ensembles from across Europe.

Zemela is now working on new songs, incorporating the magical Bulgarian folklore. "We want to transform the Bulgarian folk song and turn it from a Cinderella into a princess and thus present it to the world”, the singer says. Record labels releasing albums of world music in the UK and USA have shown interest in the project.