site.btaArtists in All Fields Honoured at Golden Quill Award Ceremony

The Golden Quill Awards were presented on Tuesday at a ceremony at the City Mark Art Center in Sofia. The award, established in 1996 by the Cantus Firmus agency and the Makta gallery, is presented to artists and institutions in the fields of literature, theater, music, fine arts, cinema and journalism. This year, 24 Golden Quills were given.

The ceremony was hosted by opera singer Gergana Nikolaeva and journalist Simeon Ivanov of Bulgarian National Television. The program featured the Sofia Boys and Youth Choir, conducted by Alexander Mitev, talents from the Lyubomir Pipkov National Music School, and the Academic Folklore Choir of the National Music Academy "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" with conductor Vanya Moneva.

A Golden Quill was awarded to Bulgarian National Television journalist Boyko Vassilev, who received the prize from the Minister of Culture Evtim Miloshev. "I accept the award as a duty. I believe there can be honest, dignified and enlightening journalism," said Vassilev

The Minister of Culture also awarded a Golden Quill to actor Yavor Milushev. "I promise that I will finish my book, which I will not abandon," the awardee pledged. Milushev also commented on Dara's victory in the Eurovision Song Contest. "Dara inspired hope in small and large. May the eternal homeland and fatherland Bulgaria live forever and ever," he added.

Actor Pavel Popandov was also awarded a Quill. He said that he accepts the award as a tribute to those who have written with a golden quill their entire lives.

"It's always wonderful to pay attention to artists. I want to thank my teachers," said actress Koyna Ruseva, receiving a Quill.

The Varna Summer International Music Festival was honoured on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. "Having a role model does not mean being an imitator. Come to Varna this summer to see if we are doing well," said Pavel Popov, who accepted the award.

The award of the National Academy of Arts on the occasion of its 130th anniversary was accepted by the rector, Prof. Georgi Yankov. "The Academy is a cultural institution that glorifies Bulgaria. This calling is an inspiration for me, as are the students," he noted.

The award of the National Palace of Culture, awarded on the occasion of its 45th anniversary, was accepted by the Director General Andriyana Petkova. "Behind this award is a team. This infrastructure is as important as you are," she said.