Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Founder of Bansko International Jazz Festival passes away at 73

Dr. Emil Iliev
Photo: archive

The founder of the International Jazz Festival in Bansko, Dr. Emil Iliev, has died of Covid-19 at the age of 73, representatives of the festival told BNR. With its 23 editions so far, the International Jazz Festival in Bulgaria's town of Bansko has turned into the biggest summer music festival in the country. It is also among the most significant international cultural events in the Balkans.

Dr. Emil Iliev studied medicine, majoring in dermatology, venereology and acupuncture. In 1982, he became the founder and chairman of the Bulgarian Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He was also a member of the board of directors of the World Acupuncture Organization. 

“As creator of the International Jazz Festival he left his heart and soul in a cause that was embraced by many jazz fans all over the world. A remarkable person who will leave his mark in the history of Bansko,” the post on the jazz festival’s website reads.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova

Minister Petkova: The government will propose a new draft budget by February 14

Bulgaria’s Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova said that she is concerned about the current state of the country’s finances, which, according to her, is a result of unreasonable policies in this area over the past three years. According..

published on 1/23/25 3:25 PM

39 percent of voters support the government and 29 percent disapprove of it

Support for the GERB party is 26.0%. Party leader Boyko Borissov has the highest trust among politicians with 24.4%, but also significant distrust of 49.4%, according to a representative survey by Alpha Research conducted in the..

published on 1/23/25 11:58 AM
Stanislav Anastasov

MPs refuse to discuss activities of US NGOs in Bulgaria

MPs decided to change the National Assembly's agenda. At the suggestion of "DPS - New Beginning", the first topic on “establishing a temporary commission to investigate the presence of US influence on Bulgaria, including through NGOs"..

published on 1/23/25 11:14 AM