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.
Miroslav Ivanov is a guitarist, arranger and composer who is present in many interesting contemporary Bulgarian music bands and projects. He has released three solo albums of instrumental music: "Directions" (2013), "Circus" (2016), and "Little..
On the cusp of summer, two brothers - Yavor and Viktor Georgiev - offer us their latest song, entitled just that - "Summer". This bright and cheerful track is part of their new project, SinFin. Viktor is the author of the lyrics, the music was written..
In the City of the Seven Hills - Plovdiv, the music festival LOST in HILLS is about to begin . The electronic music event will be held on June 8 and 9. The two-day programme on the picturesque Bunardzhika hill will feature over 40 artists performing on..
The first Bulgarian women's ensemble in New York, Yasna Voices, is part of the program of the La Casita Festival at Lincoln Center in New York . The last..
One of the new releases this season is the summer love and romance song "Ostani" ("Stay") by Atazar and Kris V - a young creative duo, performed by..
+359 2 9336 661