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

"St. George" or "Ederlezi" - the song that always accompanies St. George's Day

Photo: YouTube /Nina Nikolina

There are many songs in Bulgarian folklore about Saint George the Victorious. On May 6, however, an extremely popular Romani song called "Ederlezi" is often performed, as this is the Romani name of the holiday dedicated to the saint. We can easily call the song the anthem of the Roma in the Balkans. However, we can hear it performed in Greek, Serbian, Croatian, Turkish and of course, Bulgarian. The message is strongly related to the spring revival of life and hopes.

The song is part of the repertoire of a number of musicians in Bulgaria and around the world but today we offer you Nina Nikolina's version. The song is part of the "Tradition and Classic" project, in which Nina Nikolina partners with the orchestra of the State Opera - Ruse.

The recording is from a concert in Gabrovo held in 2020. The folk music and lyrics are in a new arrangement created by Kalin Velyov, Martin Tashev and Yasen Velchev. Conductor Georgi Miltiadov is the author of the orchestration of the melody.

Editor: E. Karkalanova 
Publication in English: Al. Markov


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

"The Night Dies Alone" ... a debut duet by two young actors

Two young actors – Alena Vergova and Boyan Todorov, have presented their duet song, entitled "Noshtta umira sama" ("The Night Dies Alone"). It is also the first single from Boyan's upcoming debut album. He told us how the idea was..

published on 10/4/25 5:15 AM

Highlights of Bulgarian musical culture: Yosif Tsankov – “Pesen moya, obich moya” (“My Song, My Love”)

Yet 'My Song, My Love' remains perhaps the most beloved and enduring of Tsankov's creations — not only the defining hit of his career and a hallmark in the repertoire of the great Bulgarian singer Yordanka Hristova, but also a cornerstone of..

published on 10/3/25 10:15 AM

Orlin Goranov finishes national tour with concert in Sofia on International Day of Music

Music... The art that accompanies us throughout our lives, in the mundane routine and in festive moments. It takes us through life, shows us life more beautifully and meaningfully. It creates and evokes memories, enhances emotions, and last but not least..

published on 10/1/25 9:55 AM