Conductor and composer Prof. Plamen Djurov is among the most prominent graduates of the Pleven school, along with Plamena Mangova and her successful career across world stages, violinist Denitsa Kazakova, also the heart of the famous Kuku Band – Slavi Trifonov, Evgeni Dimitrov – the Maestro and Georgi Milchev – Godji. There are many, many others…

The Panayot Pipkov school was established as a high school for music back in 1960, but today art is taught there, also pop and jazz singing and, as of last year – acting. There is an interesting historical fact – that was the first specialized school to introduce the study of folk instruments in 1966. The first hall, built especially for the concert renditions of the students and named after Bojko Shoikov – the school’s director for 34 years, can be found here as well. The place has actually had only three directors across its entire history. The first one took the position in the course of one year only and handed it over to Mr. Shoikov, who literally dedicated his life to the development of the school. Next comes Zhechka Dimitrova that has run the place for the past couple of decades.

“We have prepared a true panorama of the specialties taught here for the NPC concert,” says Mrs. Dimitrova and adds:

“I regret that we can’t organize an exhibition of our talented artists, but we will do it later for sure. There will be different concerts and expositions, devoted to the festive occasion in the course of the whole year. The peak will be in October – on our patron’s fest. We have planned events in Plovdiv, Varna, Russe and Burgas, and in Sofia once more."

Young and awarded performers will take part in the concert, prepared on the invitation of the Salon of Arts. Cello player Natali Neikova, 9^th grade, took the first prize at the Nish International Music Concert. Viola player Kamelia Parvanova, also a laureate of many contests, will play as well, along with a long list of talented children and teenagers… The simultaneous studying of classical and folklore specialties provokes the creation of pieces that combine both styles.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev