"I fell in love with Bulgaria years ago - the first time I visited your country," says Jean-Baptiste Leclerc. The famous French percussionist lives in Paris, as a performer and teacher he often travels the world for concerts and master classes.

One of his permanent "professional stops" is Bulgaria’s Pleven, where the International Marimba and Percussion Festival is held every year, whose artistic director is the famous Bulgarian musician Vasilena Serafimova. Jean-Baptiste is among the teachers at the summer academy, as well as a participant in concerts.

In an interview for Radio Bulgaria’s music editor Albena Bezovska, Jean-Baptiste tells us that he clearly remembers his first visit to Bulgaria. He arrived in our country as a tourist and remained deeply impressed by the Bulgarian folk music and traditions, the local natural scenery and mountains.

Here is what the young musician says in his interview for Radio Bulgaria:

English version Rositsa Petkova