site.btaBulgaria Is Born Concert Marks Unification Anniversary in Pleven

Nearly 150 musicians and singers performed in the Bulgaria Is Born concert marking the 141st anniversary of Bulgaria’s Unification in Pleven on Tuesday.

Conductor Georgi Miltiyadov led the musical production, which featured the Pleven Philharmonic, Gena Dimitrova Municipal Choir, Pleven Municipal Brass Band, Ivan Valev Northern Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances, the string orchestra of the Panayot Pipkov National School of Arts in Pleven and Zvanika Children’s Choir at the Centre for Work with Children, Pleven.

Actress Marieta Kalapova hosted the production. The soloists were singer Ralitsa Haydarska, violinist Chavdar Valkov and cellist Lora Tabakova.

The concert opened with Bulgaria’s national anthem, bringing the audience gathered in front of the St George the Conqueror Chapel Mausoleum on central Vazrazhdane Square to its feet. The programme included Shumi Maritsa, March of the 9th Pleven Infantry Division, Hubava Si, Moya Goro, Sevdana, Bulgaria Is Born, Prituri Se Planinata, Devoyko, Mari Hubava and Vecheray, Rado, among other works. The concert ended with Dunavsko Horo as a symbol of unity.

A special moment in the evening came with birthday greetings for Miltiyadov, who devised the production’s musical concept and arranged some of the works performed.