The capital of the First Bulgarian Kingdom Pliska was the residence of Bulgarian sovereigns for longer than two centuries. The national historical and archeological reserve displaying remains from the glorious past is two kilometers away from the present-day town.

In 2014 the Pliskart Art Residence was opened officially by the foundation of the same name. On 10 and 11 October it is hosting the first edition of the Autumn Music Festival in the new concert hall there. The event's main organizer is Veneziela Naydenova. She was born in Varna where she graduated the Dobry Hristov School of Music. She continued her studies at the Music Theory Department of the Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music in Sofia. Since 1991 she has been living and working in Switzerland and has been teaching piano at the conservatory in Neuchâtel. Her students are winners of regional and international competitions. She has often been member of the jury of both instrumental and choral music contests. Naydenova is also giving concerts and has experience as conductor - of choirs and orchestras at opera productions. She writes, arranges and orchestrates music for various formations. Since 2003 she has been artistic director of the Saison Musique au choeur festival, and since 2008 has been chairing the association of the same name.

Pliska is 30 km away from the town of Shumen and less than 70 km from the city of Varna. Veneziela Naydenova is convinced that a historic place is not remote as it is close enough to the international terminals of Bulgarian airports. For years she has worked on making the place known beyond Bulgarian borders.

„I am always with Bulgaria in my thoughts like most expats”, Mrs. Naydenova said. “Five years ago I set up Pliskart Foundation with the idea to organize cultural events. Pliska is important in Bulgarian history but it is a name unknown abroad. I want to make it more popular. My grandparents lived here; I inherited their house and decided to arrange a cultural center on its premises. We built a chamber hall to host the festival. October is the month when nature alters its colors and we want to add our color to this diverse autumn selection. The grand piano has already been delivered to us. It is the first time Pliska has seen such an instrument. We hope to bring joy to audiences with good chamber music selected by performers. The concert is due on 10 October featuring Arte ladies' string quartet. Anna Furnadzhieva, Marina Vinokurova, Galina Ledlova and Kremena Hristova are members of the Opera Symphony Orchestra in the city of Varna. The program is quite nice including Bartok and Piazzolla. On Sunday we have planned two events with a break for a glass of wine between them. Stefan Boyadzhiev, a pianist, choral and orchestral conductor will give a concert performing solo works by Debussy and Rachmaninov. The same program features young soprano Liliana Kondova. Our festival closes with popular opera arias and Russian romances in the interpretation of Geo Chobanov, basso, and Janet Benun, piano.”

English Daniela Konstantinova

Audio file contains the following pieces:

1. Prelude for solo piano by Rossini performed by Veneziela Naydenova

2. An aria of Doctor Bartolo from The Barber of Seville by Rossini in the rendition of Geo Chobanov