Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Grace & Gravity Circle – where astronomy turns into poetry

БНР Новини
Photo: library

Scientists, actors, musicians and poets can be found among the friends of the Grace & Gravity Circle. Their meetings resemble a rare space phenomenon that is remembered for good. The circle has once again gathered this year in Sofia, under the roof of the house and museum of renowned early 20 c. composer Pancho Vladigerov. The occasion – the traditional fests of culture, organized in May by the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

The idea for the series of meetings under that name was an old one. Associate Prof. Petko Nedyalkov, head of the Astronomy Department with Sofia University expands the circle of Grace & Gravity with new participants each year, mainly with artists from the fields of poetry and music. Film director Ilian Metev is among the youngest ones, known for The Last Ambulance of Sofia documentary, which has received international recognition. Ilian brought his violin at the meeting of the circle and surprised everyone with an emotional performance of Beethoven’s Spring Sonata No 5. Noble art caused a discussion among the astronomy professors in the hall. Ilian shared with them intimate impressions, born by the works of Beethoven:

“Beethoven exposes the perfect balance between intellect and feelings, for instance – via the usage of dynamics and rhythm. It seems like he tells the performer at certain spots:  don’t say it all about the feeling here. Thus fine nuances occur, charged with artistry and inspiration. When I play the violin – this is my way to communicate with the audience. Music is the finest among arts that brings us closer to the stars. My movies are doubtlessly my greatest success, but I miss the direct emotional contact with the audience there. When I perform I feel the dialogue, I even feel the people influencing the intonation and changing my rendition.”

СнимкаAfter a short discussion about the perfection of music, the Grace & Gravity meeting moves onto the field of poetry. Raicho Russev aka Rysen from the town of Haskovo finds his place there. He is modest enough to say that he wouldn’t like to be referred to as a poet, but everyone listened to him with interest, when he recited his verses. Words are like stars – it takes a lot of labor and persistence to decode them and arrange them in the complicated system of poetry, Rysen says. He is a cryptographer, who has written secret codes for protection of institutional information. He is interested in astronomy and the communication with the scope people brings him joy and inspiration. Rysen has recently received his first recognition for his works at the Poetry Close to Stars contest at Rozhen Peak in the Rhodope Mountain.

“My friendship with scientists began with poetry. I am really grateful for meeting those people, they are great erudite with warm hearts at the same time. There are certain astronomy facts, whose answers I seek as well. The endless universe, the fact that mankind sees through its scopes only 4 percent of the presumable world… We are too small, but there is this other mind there, which only prompts about its existence. Inspiration doesn’t come just like that, it is the result of hard work and will. They say that our time lacks spirituality, but it’s not like that. There are good and wise people, but unfortunately we allow the other kind to occupy public life. I was strongly impressed by an inscription on an old fountain in the Rhodope Mountain. It read: The Devil Sits on Money. I ask myself who did we choose to rule our world, it looks like we opted for the money – which means the devil, right? It’s worth thinking over, isn’t it?”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Khan Asparuh Bulgarian Cultural and Educational Center

Bulgarian school in northern California announces online summer Bulgarian language courses

The Bulgarian School "Khan Asparuh" in Northern California , USA, is organizing online Bulgarian language courses during the summer months of June, July and August.  On its Facebook page , the school informs that the classes will be of two..

published on 6/15/24 11:55 AM
Luc Levy

Luc Levy on European Dialogues and identity

"What is the European history we share? What are the cultural characteristics and political discourse that shape and sustain the project for a united Europe in Sofia and Paris, in Kiyv and in Warsaw; in Riga and in Budapest, in..

published on 6/13/24 4:55 PM

Poetry meets nature at a literary festival in Sofia

June 13-20 Sofia is hosting the 16 th edition of the international literary festival CapitalLiterature. The theme this year is Poetry/Nature, dedicated to the bond between poetic art and the environment in a world in which nature is not a romantic..

published on 6/13/24 7:15 AM