Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

"Where art thou, faithful love of the people"

The story of this song goes back to Bulgaria’s struggle for independence of the Ottoman Empire. It was created by Dobri Chintulov, teacher, poet and composer of the Bulgarian Revival period, who worked for the enlightenment and national self-awareness of his compatriots. Graduate of the Theological Seminary in Odessa, he was an advocate for national and church freedom.

Dobri Chintulov wrote the lyrics of the song "Kude si, vyarna ti lyubov narodna" ("Where art thou, faithful love of the people") while he was in Odessa. The tune, however, was probably the melody of another song, popular at the time, but whose title is now forgotten. Forgotten is the last word one can say about "Kude si vyarna ti lyubov narodna". The song became a symbol of the awakening of a nation. An awakening that started from a "spark of love" and turned into a "raging flame".


Together with “Stani, stani yunak balkanski” ("Wake up, wake up, Balkan hero"), “Viatar echi, Balkan stene” ("Wind is howling, Balkan is moaning") and several other revolutionary songs by Dobri Chintulov, it raised the spirit of the Bulgarian patriots during the April Uprising (1876) and the Russo-Turkish War that brought the Liberation of Bulgaria (1878-1879).

Photos: archive



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

"The Happiest Man" goes on "The Happiest Tour"

Bulgarian pop artist Vladimir Ampov aka Grafa will kick off his "The Happiest Man Tour" tonight (June 28) with a concert at the Summer Theatre in Stara Zagora . The basis of Vladi Ampov's big summer show is the concept of his spectacular concert at the..

published on 6/28/24 2:58 PM

Maria Ilieva has "100 Reasons" to tour the country 

"100 reasons" is Maria Ilieva's latest song, but also the name of her national tour.  In a series of concerts starting on 21 June in Stara Zagora, the pop singer will perform both her biggest hits and brand new songs from her forthcoming album...

published on 6/27/24 1:19 PM

Trombonist Carla Köllner in a joint concert with the BNR Big Band in Sofia

The brilliant German trombonist Carla Köllner will for the first time perform with the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band in the final concert of the season - on 27 June at 7 pm in the First Studio of the Bulgarian National Radio under the baton of..

published on 6/26/24 1:02 PM