The Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, which is the day of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, and of Slavonic literature in this country, is more than an official holiday. It is probably the best loved and most unifying festive day of all, and for all Bulgarians – in this country and abroad. And it is invariably connected with one song, with music by Panayot Pipkov and lyrics by Stoyan Mihailovski – the song “March ahead, o revived people”. Or as it is popularly known – the Saints Cyril and Methodius anthem.
The poem was first published by Misal (Thought) magazine in Ruse, at the end of the 19th century, under the title of “Cyril and Methodius”. It was on the basis of this text that, in 1901, composer Panayot Pipkov, at the time a school teacher in the town of Lovech, created a song sung by school children on the Day of the Saints Cyril and Methodius (11 May, old style). The very next year it was being performed in most schools across the country, to become a musical symbol of this day, and of Bulgarians’ love of education and culture, because as the lyrics go: “Go! For like the sun is knowledge.On the soul it sheds its rays.” and “Go! A people shall not perish, when true learning lights its days”.
The rendition of the Saints Cyril and Methodius anthem is by the Bulgarian National Radio’s Children’s Radio Choir, conductor Hristo Nedyalkov.
March ahead, o revived people,
To your future march ahead,
Forge your destiny of glory,
By the might of letters led.
March to powerful knowledge,
Let your duty be your guide!
Join the host of other peoples,
God is always by your side.
Go! For like the sun is knowledge.
On the soul it sheds its rays.
Go! A people shall not perish,
When true learning lights its days.
Once unknown and obscure,
Take your place in History.
Let your spirit rule the countries
You subdued in victory.
You saints Cyril and Methodius,
You be blessed thrice above!
Fathers of Bulgarian learning,
Makers of the tongue we love!
Ruse, 1882, April 15
A hot summer awaits Stefan Valdobrev and The Usual Suspects. On June 27, they are to start their national music tour from the town of Ruse. During the national tour, they are to present their new album "Udivitelni Vaprositelni." It contains 11 pieces..
There is so much youthful energy in the song Phenomenon by Niki R:ce, who is in fact Nicole Rizova who used to be a member of the children’s vocal group Bon-Bon. Her partner, in music and in life, is Tsvetan Marinov, who is familiar to..
The Bulgarian National Radio Folk Orchestra, conducted by Dimitar Hristov, closes the season tonight (June 20) with a concert featuring only premiere pieces. The program includes 17 new compositions and arrangements of songs performed by prominent..
The musical duo Chaz'n'Byanka recorded a new song entitled "One Shot". Lyubomir Boyanov and Vasilina Byankova are joined by Daniel Petrov from the band..
Clear