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

“The Rhythm of the Balkans” – a project by the BNR’s Folk Music Orchestra offering a unique blend of traditions

Photo: BNR Folk Music Orchestra

Tamburitsa from Serbia, tsymbaly from Romania, lyra from Crete and bagpipe from Bulgaria – these are the instruments audiences will be able to hear in the 10th edition of what has proved to be the most successful project of the Bulgarian National Radio’s Folk Music Orchestra – “The Rhythm of the Balkans”.
Dimitar Hristov

The musicians, with conductor Dimitar Hristov, will be performing at 7 PM on Thursday, 10 April, in Studio No. 1 of the Bulgarian National Radio.

Over the years, “The Rhythm of the Balkans” has proved to be a unique blend of the tradition, the rhythms and the emotions of Balkan music. This latest edition of the project will present four magnificent musicians: The Serbian tamburitsa virtuoso Branko Bako Jovanović, the Romanian tsymbaly master Anatol Kazanoy, the gentle voice of the Crete lyra, played by Kelly Thoma and the exciting sound of the Bulgarian bagpipes in the hands of Petyo Kostadinov, all of them splendid musicians with remarkable international careers, true ambassadors of traditional Balkan music around the world.
Petyo Kostadinov, Branko Bako Jovanović, Anatol Kazanoy and Kelly Thoma

“The Rhythm of the Balkans” is more than a series of concerts, it is a comprehensive project which has, through the years, evolved into a major music event in the country. Every year, it demonstrates that the Balkans can band together in music, because music throws bridges among nations.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos: Ani Petrova, Facebook /BNR Folk Music Orchestra (photographer: Stephan Talneau)



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

Papi Hans with a new hot Latin song – ''Nevinna''

Papi Hans heats up the chilly autumn with his new song — the hot Latin bachata “Nevinna” (Innocent). It comes after a series of ballads and is the first single from his upcoming album titled ''The Sun''. According to the singer, this will be an album..

published on 10/13/25 7:40 AM

The autumn edition of the 25th European Music Festival comes with unique violins and intriguing surprises

The European Music Festival held in Sofia offers several bright events for music lovers in the autumn series of its 25th edition. From mid-October to December 2, 2025 , concerts with interesting programs and outstanding performers are coming up to the..

published on 10/12/25 8:15 AM

Bulgarian and South Korean musicians to share stage in Blagoevgrad

On 11 October at 7 p.m., the Blagoevgrad Cultural Centre will host a concert titled “Melodies Without Borders”, bringing together Bulgaria’s Pirin Ensemble Choir and South Korea's crossover group SOOK. According to the organisers, this..

published on 10/11/25 11:05 AM