Slavka Sekutova was born in Sofia, but her childhood passed in the village of Berende in the region of Radomir. In 1951 she performed in the early morning shows of the Bulgarian National Radio with live singing of her Graovo songs. For a short time she was a singer in the "Philip Kutev" Folk Ensemble. After 1953 she started touring the country and performing at concerts in villages and towns with the "Nasha Pesen" ensemble.

This year, Slavka Sekutova marked her 90th anniversary. We wish her health and longevity.

"I was born in Sofia, but my parents are villagers," the folk singer says. "They could not bear city life and they returned to the village. I was 2 years old back then. My best memories are from the pretty village of Berende. There I learned a lot of songs from my father. He was a selfless talent, playing the violin and gadulka. My brothers played the tambura and violin. In our house singing was an everyday practice until the moment I lost my mother. Then my father decided to live in Sofia again. I went on audition in the radio and they accepted me. I was singing live only. It was in 1948 when my singing career began. Once, great Bulgarian singer Boris Mashalov came and asked me if i wanted to join a band, so people who listen to us on the radio could see us. That is how it started. There is not a single place in Bulgaria that I haven't visited. I have given great joy, but I have also received much love from the audience. I have traveled with Mita Stoycheva, Boris Mashalov, Gurga Pendjurova, Lalka Pavlova, Radka Kushleva and others. I have very nice memories. People were giving us flowers and I have helped many children discover that the Bulgarian folk song is a national treasure and something to be proud of. Our songs were well accepted abroad. Some say the audience in England is colder. During our concerts there the British awarded us with great applause. Every place we went, we were welcomed with respect. Our songs reach the hearts if they are sung from the heart. When I sing, I see images. When I sing slow songs I see the grief and tears in the eyes of people. When the song is joyful, I see joy in the eyes and smiles."

English: Alexander Markov