Dimana Mircheva, known as DIA, first caught attention while still a student at the National School of Music "Lyubomir Pipkov" in Sofia, when she released her first original song. Since then, she has continued to enrich each of her songs with respect for Bulgarian folklore, while also standing up for the original folklore being created today.

Her latest song – "Ot Tseluvka Beleg Ne Ostava" (A Kiss Leaves No Scar) – is based on a Bulgarian song that dates back over a hundred years. DIA discovered it in a collection of authentic folk songs compiled in 1924. When she saw the original title, the singer was instantly impressed, as it sounded like a spell to her.

Inspired by those words and the story behind them, DIA began creating an entirely new set of lyrics. DIA has more:

''In the original version of the song, the story is about of a boy who offers various gifts to a girl in hopes that she will give herself to him. But in the end, he says: 'I won’t give you these gifts, because they are not as valuable as a kiss. A kiss leaves no scar – the scar fades, but the kiss is never forgotten'. This is perhaps the most beautiful thing we can give as people who love and want to be loved''.

DIA developed the lyrics and music based on the original song. The arrangement is by Alex Nushev. The backing vocals are performed by folk singer Gabriela Milanova.

Regarding the visualization of "A Kiss Leaves No Scar", DIA shares:

''The music video for the song is a one-shot, which I’m extremely proud of. This continuous shot gave me a lot because, during those three minutes, you have to be as disciplined and as focused as possible for everything to come together. It was very inspiring for me''.

See also:

• ''Kusno e''- a song inspired by the Bulgarian woman's strength to stand up for love

• Bulgarians in the UK with wonderful surprise for ethno singer DIA

• DIA casts a spell with her folklore-based Samovila

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: Facebook/ DIA