Bulgaria’s second biggest city Plovdiv has many reasons to feel a sense of pride this year. After being elected Bulgaria’s European capital of culture, 2019 at the end of September, it is now marking another important event – the 50^th jubilee of the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Artsin the city. In that time the academy has given the start to many talented Bulgarians: violinist Vasko Vassilev, opera singer Krassimira Stefanova, as well as a number of folk music performers. Some of them will take part in the gala concert to celebrate the anniversary. Here is more from Prof. Milcho Vassilev, rector of the Academy and artistic director of the Academic Folk Choir:

“The concert we are planning on 25 September will truly be unique to Bulgaria. Five hundred singers, instrumentalists and dancers from the foremost folklore ensembles will sing, play and dance on the stage of Plovdiv’s amphitheatre. We shall also hear performances by the orchestras and choirs of the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts, the Trakia, Pazardjik and Rodopa-Smolyan folklore ensembles as well as the orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio; many of their members are graduates of the Academy, which makes us very proud. The soloists will again include artists who have graduated the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts who have gained world renown – Theodosii Spassov, Binka Dobreva, Ilka Alexandrova, Rossitsa Peycheva, Denislav Kehayov.”

The programme also features works by Kosta Kolev, Dimitar Hristov, Kostadin Bouroudjiev.

In 2014 the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts was awarded Classis FM’s prize, the Golden Plume. Here is more from Prof. Milcho Vassilev about one decision the academic board was unanimous about:

“On 24, September Theodosii Spassov will be conferred the title Doctor Honoris Causa for his outstanding merits in the development of the Plovdiv Academy – he has proved that our folk instruments are truly unique. Theodosii has contributed to their popularization across the world, he has shown that the kaval (shepherd’s flute) is an instrument equally well suited to folk music, classical music and jazz. Taking this as our premise, we at the academy set up several pop and jazz formations in which our colleagues play folk instruments. Theodosii never tires of saying he has graduated the Plovdiv Academy.”

Here is what Theodosii Spassov himself says about the title he is being conferred:

“The Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv is a place where excellence is attained. I was overjoyed by the news, it gives me the strength to continue on the road I have chosen in life. On 25, September I shall be taking part in the Academy’s jubilee concert with my own folklore quintet.”

There will also be other concerts to mark the Academy’s 50^th jubilee. On 30, September lecturers from the classics department will perform as soloists of the Plovdiv opera, whereas students will be playing with the Pazardjik symphony orchestra. The jubilee celebrations will close on 24, October at the City Culture House, where all genres taught at the academy will be presented. The one-hour programme will feature classical and folk music and dance, pop and jazz performances, an exhibition of works by students of the fine arts and photography.

English: Milena Daynova