Kichka Savova is a renowned folk singer who, with her enormous dedication, has left her mark on Thracian folklore tradition. Born in 1934 in the village of Sladun near Svilengrad, Kichka Savova passed away in 2018, leaving us dozens of recordings and collections of folk songs she has herself tracked down. Her legacy also includes many students and fans, as well as a folklore festival after her name in the village where she was born.

A commemorative plaque in memory of the singer will be inaugurated in Sladun at 11 AM on 4 July.

“In 2008, together with my family, we decided to organize a festival “With Kichka Savova’s songs”, says Stefan Stoyanov, mayor of the village of Sladun. “The festival gradually grew, became more popular with participants coming from all over Bulgaria. In March this year, again with my family, we decided to put up a commemorative plaque in memory of the renowned singer. She deserves it, she has given so much to Thracian music. There have been events in Bulgaria and around the world, and alongside the festival, they popularized our small village which is close to the border with Turkey. On 4 July, at 11 AM, we, the people from Sladun, expect to be joined by members of Kichka Savova’s family, and students of hers and all people who appreciate her music.”

The guests include another Thracian singer Darina Slavcheva:

“Folk singer Kichka Savova has played a very important role in my life. She was my first tutor at the start of my career as a performer. She encouraged me to seek out unpopular songs among older people. She gave me wings, she encouraged me to evolve. She helped me get ready for the national school of folklore arts in Kotel, and we had a close friendship for many years afterwards.

She was a good and kind person, and she worked very hard. That is the reason why she was so well loved – as a singer but also as a person. This love is what gave rise to the “With Kichka Savova’s songs” national folklore festival. In 2020 the festival was supposed to have its 10^th edition, but because of the coronavirus measures it had to be postponed until next year. I have been on the festival jury almost from the start, and Mrs. Savova was honorary chairperson. I know how excited she was about the festival, how excited the participants, the organizers were. The commemorative plaque will be inaugurated as a mark of respect, and in memory of her. She is unforgettable, a person very dear to us all who knew her and who remember and love her to this day.”