The city of Shumen has been welcoming participants and guests in Dobri Voinikov International Children’s and Youth Choral Festival. The festival continues until April 7 and main organizer is the Shumen municipality, as well as the host choir of "Bodra Pesen" with conductor Denitsa Uzunova.

“We are pleased to welcome the participants in the 25th edition of the festival," Mrs. Uzunova says. “Established back in 1971, the forum is held once every two years. The start is given today at a meeting with mayor of Shumen, Mr. Lubomir Hristov, as the festival is held under his auspices. At 17:30 in front of the Vasil Drumev Theater the solemn opening ceremony of the festival takes place. Minutes later, in the lobby of the theater, we invite our guests to a retrospective exhibition that tracks the past editions through many photos, archival materials, posters. Nine choirs from Bulgaria, Greece and Romania will appear on stage during the festival. Our choir opens the program the first evening, when we will also present our junior singers in ‘Bodra Pesen’. Among the titles included in the program is ‘The Gadulka Lesson’ – a song written for us by composer Nikolay Stoykov, which has brought him over 30 awards from international choral competitions. That same evening we will also hear the choir of the National School of Folk Arts "Philip Kutev" – Kotel. On April 5, the Youth Choir of the National School of Music and Performing Arts "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" in Burgas, the ‘Fantasy” Choir at the Children's Palace from the town of Vaslui – Romania with conductor Vasile Negura, as well as choir at Alimos Music Secondary School in Athens, Greece with conductor Rosie Mastrosavva, are to perform. The last concert in the gala evening will be by the choir of music classes at the "Sava Dobroplodni" School in our town and also the Orpheus Mixed Choir of the Arts High School in Brăila, Romania and "Fortisimo" Vocal Ensemble – Burgas. The final of this gala concert will be given by the performance of a mixed choir and the State Philharmonic Orchestra – Shumen with conductor Slavil Dimitrov, who will present the premiere of Missa pro Juventute by young Slovenian composer Tine Bec. Once again, the prize for conducting under the name of Prof. VenetaVicheva will be presented by a foundation named after the creator of the festival and the Bodra Pesen Choir. A jury of prominent Bulgarian musicians will choose this year's award winner.”

A meeting with Prof. Nikolay Stoykov will be held within the framework of the festival and Dr. Nikolina Kroteva will present her monograph dedicated to the composer. Novelty in the program of the festival is a concert presenting religious music in the "Holy Ascension" Church on April 7th. Five choirs that are part of the festival program will take part in it, as well as the children's "Horal" choir at the cathedral church of "Holy Assumption of Mary" – Varna, which arrives especially for the occasion.

English: Alexander Markov