Set up in 1993 at the idea of choreographer Assen Pavlov, the Chinari ensemble is one of the first private folk groups in this country. Over the years the formation had several successful productions, it toured the US, Germany, France, Serbia, Moldova, Italy, South Korea and other countries. Its members are professional dancers, singers and instrumentalists. On 27 November, in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture, they will present their new show entitled “The Thracians”. As Assen Pavlov says, the new production is an interesting interpretation of Bulgaria's historical and cultural heritage.

 “We have been working on this show in the last 2-3 years. At least it has been hovering in my creative space for this period. For the music I selected the Bulgara band and its manager Kiril Dobrev I've worked with before. We will also introduce the new project Ethnotix composed of beautiful young girls on four gadulkas (Bulgarian traditional rebec), vocals and percussions. My team created “The Legend of the Mystical Mask” which we will present. And in “The Legend of Orpheus and Space” you will find a reference to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In the show we use various means to explain to the audience concepts and phenomena, because not everyone is familiar with the Thracians and their culture. In some places there is voiceover that explains what the griffins mean, etc. There are several interpretations of this long historical period in which Thracian culture developed. I myself have my own theory, but in the show we have included only facts that scientists take for sure.”

Angel Dobrev, a rebec player, professor and composer, is one of the soloists of the Folk Music Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio. He is the artistic director and conductor of the Ethnotix formation.

"The idea for the creation of Ethnotix belongs to the artistic director of Chinari, Assen Pavlov, who invited me to lead the formation and write music for it", Angel Dobrev said. "The work on this project is very inspiring. I think this is a unique phenomenon, and I had the complete freedom for "openness of ideas”. I am very happy that I was given this opportunity. The intonations that I have used are mainly Bulgarian, but I have also included many exotic musical elements - such as Eastern ones. I think the whole format is very unusual and it does not fit the concept of ethno music, but very much represents the spirit of our 21st century."

The creators of The Thracians provided for Radio Bulgaria a segment of the music of Angel Dobrev for the premiere performance. The play is called Bacchanalias.

English Rossitsa Petcova