The Spring Radio Contest for new Bulgarian pop songs, launched in 1970 by Radio Sofia, as the Bulgarian National Radio was called back then, has been an annual music event organized to this day. Over these 48 years composers, music arrangers, lyric-writers and performers have been presenting their new production to millions of listeners. As its title suggests, the Spring Radio Contest falls in springtime, and during the first 20 years of its existence, the contest rules stipulated that the songs combine suitable lyrics, a tune that is easy to remember, new music structure ideas, and, what is most important of all – that they have never been aired on radio.

The first contest took place in 1970 with a total of 15 songs selected by a special commission reaching the final round. The order of the songs was determined by listeners’ letters. It is interesting to note that in the first edition of the Spring Radio Contest 70 music editors received 1,800 letters.

At this first edition of the contest, a host of acclaimed composers presented their songs: Petar Stoupel, Angel Zaberski, Ivan Staykov, Yosif Tsankov, Dimitar Valchev, Atanas Boyadjiev, Svetozar Roussinov, Zornitsa Popova etc. 

The second round of the 48th edition has just ended and very soon, anyone wishing to, will be able to cast their vote for the 12 songs which have reached the final. You can hear all award-winning songs since the very first edition of the contest http://bnr.bg/prolet/winners/list. 

Hundreds of Bulgarian songs have been presented at the Spring Radio Contest through the years, many have become real hits, favourites with generations of Bulgarian pop music fans. One such song is Brook (1978) – composed and arranged by Yanko Miladinov, lyrics Dimitar Tochev. The song is performed by Lili Ivanova and Asen Gargov.

The third entry in Musicbox Bulgaria for the month is Spring Fatigue (1984) – composed by Stefan Dimitrov, lyrics Miryana Basheva, performed by Blagovest and Svetoslav Argirov.

And now – it is time to announce the title of the song that won last month’s music chart. It is Martenichki (Red-and white martenitsa tassels), music Andrey Drenikov, performed by the Bulgarian Nightingale children’s choir. And the three names who will receive a CD with the latest Bulgarian National Radio music production are Rosemarie Brodd - Germany, George Derringe - USA and Miguel Ramón Bauset, Spain.

English version: Milena Daynova