site.btaUPDATED Legendary Bulgarian Folk Singer Yanka Rupkina Passes Away at 87

Yanka Rupkina, one of Bulgaria’s most celebrated folk singers and an international ambassador of Bulgarian folklore, has passed away at the age of 87 following a prolonged illness. News of her passing was first reported by the Bulgarian National Television Tuesday. Born on August 15, 1938, in the village of Bogdanovo, Rupkina grew up immersed in traditional music, inspired by her grandmother, also a folk singer.

Although she initially trained as a nurse, Rupkina’s passion for music never wavered. She joined the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Ensemble in 1961 and became a soloist for three decades, recording hundreds of songs from the Strandzha region, preserving Bulgaria’s musical heritage for future generations. Her signature song, “Kalimanku, Denku mari hubava”, remains an enduring emblem of Bulgarian folklore.

Rupkina’s international fame was further cemented with the creation of the trio Bulgarka in 1975, whose collaborations included legendary musicians like George Harrison, Kate Bush, and Prince. She contributed to the Grammy-winning album Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, Volume Two, helping bring Bulgarian folk music to global audiences.

Throughout her life, Rupkina remained devoted to sharing her art, performing worldwide, mentoring ensembles, and celebrating her roots in Bogdanovo, which inspired much of her repertoire. Her numerous awards include the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius and recognition as an Honorary Citizen of Burgas.

Reflecting on her career, Rupkina once said she worked “for the name, for the music, for Bulgaria,” dedicating 64 years to her craft. She leaves behind a legacy of musical excellence, cultural preservation, and inspiration that transcends generations.

Reacting to the news of the singer's passing, President Iliana Iotova said that "we have lost a voice that was close to the spirit, the East and life, a voice in which Bulgarian memory echoed". "Bulgaria lost a personality that had her life dedicated to one of our biggest spiritual treasures: folk songs," the President added.

The Culture Ministry, too, put out a message of condolences. "Her work remains permanently inscribed in Bulgaria’s cultural memory and continues to be a source of inspiration and a guide for fidelity to tradition. As a soloist in the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Ensemble, and as part of the vocal trio Bulgarka, she made a significant contribution to the recognition and promotion of Bulgarian folklore both nationally and internationally. Her performances are distinguished by deep emotionality, stylistic purity, and respect for tradition," said the Ministry.

Following is a piece about Yanka Rupkina that the BTA English service published in 1999 when she celebrated 40 years on stage. 

Folk Singer Yanka Roupkina Celebrates 40 Years on the Stage

Sofia, January 5, 1999 (BTA) - Amond the most ardent admirers of the talent of Bulgarian folk singer Yanka Rupkina are US producer Joe Boyd, former Beatle George Harrison and Kate Bush.

60-year-old Rupkina, who is one of the most popular Bulgarian folk singers, has just celebrated 40 years of stage life.

Boyd (who has worked with Pink Floyd) popularized abroad the Bulgarka trio of which Roupkina is a member.  Thanks to Boyd, the trio (comprising of Rupkina, Eva Georgieva and Stoyanka Boneva) had the chance to perform at one of the biggest London venues - Royal Festival.  On this occasion, the trio met Harrison who happened to be in the audience.

The trio is the first Bulgarian folk act to be invited to perform abroad by Marcel Selier - the person who popularized worldwide Stefka Subotinova's song "The Mountain Collapsed."

Famed BBC showhost Terry Wogan invited the trio to take part in the 500th edition of his show.

Said Rupkina about the trio's first tour abroad:  "When they heard me sing they insisted that I stay on but as an opera singer." Rupkina says she does not regret becoming a folk singer but wants also to have the chance to perform some of the best operatic works. She admires Bulgarian singers Raina Kabaivanska and Gena Dimitrova; the latter Rupkina admires as a a person as well as a performer for her heartiness, selflessness and openheartedness.  "But Boris Hristov is the pinnacle for me," Rupkina confesses her admiration for the renowned Bulgarian basso.

Rupkina was taught folk songs be her grandmother whose name she bears.  She became the soloist of the Ensemble of the Bulgarian National Radio in 1961.  She has sang all over the world and has toured the US, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Greece, Australia, Finland, Japan, Italy and Canada.  Rupkina is adamant that she will quit the stage while she is still on top.  "I will not allow to be pitied," she says.

"My whole life has been directed by a drive for perfection. The folk singer must be very exacting towards themselves since they are in the realm of an art created by the people's genius," she says.

Rupkina took to wearing a small Bulgarian national flag on her hat after a festival in Carthagena in 1967 when she heard the Bulgarian national anthem played in her honour.  Roupkina, one of the most quintessential Bulgarian singers, sees herself as a cosmic person and does not deplore the fact that one of her songs was not sent into space.

Rupkina is contemplating writing an autobiography in which she may dwell on the chapel which she intends to build in her home village of Bogdanovo in the Strandja Planina and on her many friends worldwide.

"I adore the music of the Beatles and George Harrison.  When I was visiting his house, Harrison presented me with a vinyl record on the sleeve of which he wrote "To the Greatest Voice on the Planet, with Lots of Love, George Harrison."

Just days before Christmas, Rupkina celebrated what she considers to be her second birth - an incident in 1971 when en route to Algeria she was one of 28 people to survive a plane crash.

"I believe strongly in dead trees.  One of my songs tells the story of the impossible love between tow young people.  As a result, the young man withers like a dying tree," Roupkina says in connection with a song she intends to perform at a concert marking 40 years of her stage career.

"The integrity of the whole is something we ought to respect. Individuals will be individuals, their gift is God-given but team spirit is something momentous," Rupkina says in connection with her love of sports.  DD/IT/GG 16:27:11 05-01-1999 -0-