Pop Diva Lili Ivanova Performs at Paris's Olympia

Dahnyelle Dymytrow, Yoana Vodenicharova

Pop diva Lili Ivanova performs at the Olympia, Paris, May 24, 2026 (BTA Photo/Dahnyelle Dymytrow)

Paris,

25.05.2026 09:02

(BTA)

Bulgarian pop diva Lili Ivanova performed at the Olympia in Paris on Sunday evening. This was her second solo concert at this venue. “I am not a speaker, I am a singer. Tonight, I shared my art with the audience. It was an incredible pleasure for me, and I’m truly happy,” she said during a special event held shortly after the concert.

For nearly two hours, Ivanova performed a mix of her greatest hits and newer songs. The venue was filled to capacity, and the audience rose to its feet after each performance, chanting her name. Ivanova also performed several songs from her repertoire that she had not sung live in years. One of the highlights of the evening was the slightly jazz-inspired sound of the arrangements, created by Angel Dyulgerov.

Ivanova appeared on stage with the LI Orchestra, featuring Angel Dyulgerov, Orlin Tsvetanov, Ognyan Enev, Ivan “Cherry“ Yordanov, Hristo Mihalkov, Rosen Vatev, and the vocal trio LATIDA.

On the official Olympia website, the singer was described as “the greatest figure in Bulgarian popular music.” ”For more than 65 years, she has embodied the passion and excellence of an extraordinary artist. A true living legend, she has performed over 10,000 shows and recorded more than 600 songs, releasing over 40 solo albums, most of them certified platinum,” the concert announcement said. ”Her unique voice – both powerful and sensitive – transcends genres: pop, chanson, and jazz. A symbol of elegance and artistic constancy, Lili Ivanova remains the embodiment of the soul of Bulgarian song,” it further noted.

Speaking to Bulgarian News Agency following the concert, a member of the audience said that “this was far more than just a concert — it was a masterclass in stage presence.“ “Lili proved once again that she does not rely on nostalgia, but on absolute professionalism and constant artistic growth,” the spectator added. ”The Olympia has rarely witnessed an audience like this one. People stood up after every song not out of politeness but out of genuine admiration. There was a real sense of connection between the stage and the audience, as if we were all sharing the same emotional journey,” the concertgoer said.

“There was something incredibly striking about the contrast between the ballads and the thunderous ovations that followed them. The crowd was listening with bated breath and then suddenly erupting,” a French audience member said. In his view, the concert was not only a tribute to a remarkable career but also proof of the rare ability of an artist of such stature to continue taking creative risks.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Lili Ivanova for everything she gave us tonight — for allowing us to experience this extraordinary moment, for the energy, the atmosphere, and the love with which she filled the hall,” Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Paris, Radka Balabanova-Ruleva, said. To hear the legendary Lili Ivanova perform at the legendary Olympia is an unforgettable experience, she added. ”Through your perseverance, your generosity of spirit, and your uncompromising pursuit of perfection, you are not only a great artist but also an inspiration to countless people and performers. The music we heard today will continue to resonate in Paris for a long time to come,” the Ambassador said.

Gerard Pont, director of the Francofolies festival, described Ivanova as “the Bulgarian Tina Turner.” He said he had never doubted for a moment that her place belonged on the stage, where legends such as Edith Piaf, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles have performed.

Lili Ivanova recalled that her first appearance at the Olympia had taken place 17 years ago. The evening’s host, Silvia Lulcheva, quoted a proverb that says “good things come in threes.” “So there will be a third concert,” Lulcheva added.

The words of Andrey Arnaudov, co-producer of the upcoming biographical film about Ivanova — scheduled to begin filming in April — seemed to capture the emotion of the evening: “I cannot remember ever crying as much as I have in the last two hours. In a month filled with so many wonderful moments for Bulgaria’s image, the most fitting finale is this May 24.”

/IV/