Founded by Rozi Karaslavova in 1995, over the last three decades Vocal Group Bon-Bon has made a name for itself as a professional school for young (and now grown-up) singers. The group is renowned for its vibrant performances and diverse contemporary repertoire. 

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, they are releasing a new album and holding a big concert at the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv on 1 June – International Children's Day. The show, Something New, will kick off a national tour of concerts in Plovdiv, Tsarevo, Primorsko, Veliko Tarnovo, and Sofia to present the first Bulgarian conceptual album of its kind, entitled 30. The album features 13 original tracks with powerful, positive messages for and from the youngest people in the music industry. The songs were all created by Bon-Bon's children during a music camp.

"We organised a camp where they wrote their own music. It turned out to be something really special, because the songs were charged with their dreams, says Rozi Karaslavova. They're not empty poetic lyrics. The songs are about what they want to achieve, how far they want to go, about not giving up. It was super exciting! We recently talked about the concert where we will perform these songs, and the children told me, “We've never been so excited because we wrote them ourselves!”

Alexandra Toteva, one of the young singers in Bon-Bon, shares her feelings about working on the album:

'It's very special — for the first time, we had a say and could express ourselves. Our message is that children should follow their dreams because anything is possible. If you want something badly enough, it will happen. In Bon-Bon, we feel comfortable in our own skin and can be ourselves around our closest friends. Bon-Bon is more than just a vocal group to us — it's our second family. We don't see our leaders as teachers, but as friends with whom we can share anything.

Proof of the group’s ongoing tradition in Bon-Bon is the presence of Yana Baleva and Elizabeth Nesheva (known as the Latida duo) who were the first Bon-Bon members and are now vocal teachers there. The inspiration for the album comes from another former Bon-Bon member: percussionist Sara Chakarova, who is currently studying abroad. Yana, Elizabeth and Sara decided to create this album with the children. Through it, the young singers declare themselves to be true artists who make music that matters, not just performers but also creators.

At the heart of the album is the song Novo (New), performed and written by nine singers from the oldest age group, who call themselves B!ON. The track was composed and arranged by Sara Chakarova, with lyrics co-written by Chakarova, Yana Baleva, Elizabeth Nesheva, and Rozi Karaslavova.

At the start of the concert in Plovdiv on 1 June, special guests Grafa, Maria Ilieva, Dara Ekimova and Venzi Venz will perform the new songs in support of the young 'Bon-Bon' artists. The guest stars will then sing some of their most iconic songs.

In keeping with its 15-year tradition of supporting UNICEF's causes in Bulgaria, Bon-Bon Music will donate 5% of the proceeds from their concerts in Plovdiv and Sofia to UNICEF, to support the most vulnerable children in the country.

Editor: Elena Karkalanova

Posted and translated in English by E. Radkova

Photos: Facebook /Bon-Bon