The program of the third edition of the London Festival of Bulgarian Culture is a real cultural kaleidoscope - symphonic and chamber concerts, jazz and folklore music, exhibitions, cinema shows and theatre plays. The idea of the festival came from Bulgarian violinist Ivo Stankov who has been living in the UK for the past sixteen years. He organized the first edition of the festival. Later, the Bulgarian Cultural Institute London also joined this initiative. Ivo Stankov graduated the Royal Academy of Music in London and has been organizing violin lessons for over ten years now. He plays in different music formations and travels across the world for his solo performances. His wife - opera singer Vania Vatralova helps him in all undertakings.

“We come from Bulgaria and carry a different energy”, Ivo Stankov says. “We present pieces of renowned Bulgarian composers in our performance. The London festival of Bulgarian Culture is a natural continuation of the same idea- to popularize Bulgarian culture. We organized this event in 2010 for the first time. The preparation of the festival took a lot of time and energy. The first concert was held by the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices Choir in Queen Elizabeth Hall. This was the best music ensemble and the best hall we could possible pick to give the start of the event. Two years later the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in London was opened which gave us better opportunities. Director of Bulgarian Cultural Institute London Svetla Dionisieva welcomed the idea with a great deal of enthusiasm and we started to work together. This year’s opening concert included Bulgarian pieces only. We made such a program for the first time. It took place in Cadogan Hall - a prestigious hall which hosts the concerts of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The band which was conducted by Bulgarian conductor Martin Panteleev performed the entire music program. The first part of the concert included performances of pieces by Marin Goleminov and two very beautiful folk songs by Georgi Andreev to the rendition of Vania Vatralova Stankov. A music piece by conductor Martin Panteleev and a piece by Dobrinka Tabakova also sounded on stage. The second part included mainly performance of renowned Bulgarian piper Theodosii Spassov. He presented his own pieces for shepherd’s flute and symphonic orchestra. We have already got used to the successful performance of Theodosii Spassov and we have started to forget that what he does on stage is something unique. The audience applauded him for a very long time. The musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra also covered him in applause. We know how difficult is to impress a band of such calibre and rich history, but Theodosii managed to do it. ”

The London Festival of Bulgarian Culture continues until mid-December. What else can the audience expect? Ivo Stankov brings us more:

“The bar was lifted too high after the brilliant start, but I hope that the remaining events will be also on a very high level. Films shows and theatre plays will be organized at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute London. On November 1 we opened an exhibition of works by renowned Bulgarian artists Dechko Uzunov and Georgi Chapkanov. On Novemebr 3 we presented Stefan Komandarev’s film entitled The Judgement. On November 12 and 13 favorite Bulgarian actress Tatyana Lolova will be our guest and we will present a movie about this celebrated Bulgarian lady. The director of the film Georgi Toshev will also join the event. We also dedicate several events to renowned Bulgarian basso Boris Christoff, in order to make our small contribution to the commemoration of his 100^th birth anniversary. Let us remind that the jubilee was included in the UNESCO calendar of cultural events and the whole world commemorates this great Bulgarian all throughout 2014.”

English version: Kostadin Atanasov