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

Bulgaria marks the Day of the National Enlighteners

Photo: BGNES

The Day of the National Enlighteners is dedicated to the bright personalities of the Bulgarian history. It was established over a century ago. The holiday is marked on November 1. On the same day the Eastern Orthodoxy honors under the Julian Calendar Saint Ivan of Rila, who is regarded as the patron of the Bulgarian people. His name is mentioned in a series of hymns dedicated to the Day of the National Enlighteners. The first piece in Bulgaria's history created especially for that holiday is named O, Awakeners. The music and the lyrics were written by renowned Bulgarian composer Dobri Hristov. It is to the rendition of the Bulgarian  Svetoslav Obretenov Phylharmonic Choir and the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Georgi Robev.

Over three decades ago conductor Georgi Robev revived some of the oldest choir pieces dedicated to Bulgarian Enlighteners. Unfortunately, the names of some authors are still unknown, but these songs continue to sound on that great day. All recordings included in this article were made with the Bulgarian Svetoslav  Obretenov Phylharmonic Choir and the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra.


The audio file contains the following songs: 

1  O, Awakeners

2  Today is a Glorious Day, dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius

3  This holiday is a gift to us!

4 Today is a festive day!

5- The Day of the National Enlighteners


English version: Kostadin Atanasov




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

"I Love You" ‎with singer-songwriter Kristina Doncheva

Love – the main inspiration for many artists – gave Kristina Doncheva the impetus for her song "I Love You" . She is also the author of the music and the lyrics, which tell a very personal story.  The words came to Kristina back in 2018 in the..

published on 2/14/25 5:05 AM
Hristo Yotsov

Prof. Hristo Yotsov – between classical music and jazz, where stories can be felt

"A concert with original music is a wonderful way for a person to celebrate his birthday," one of the most eminent and creative jazz musicians on the Bulgarian scene, percussionist Hristo Yotsov, says with a smile. For the third..

published on 2/13/25 7:19 PM
Костадин Гугов

90th anniversary of the birth of the famous folk singer Kostadin Gugov

Today we remember the famous folk singer Kostadin Gugov. Born on 12 February 1935 in Sofia to a family of refugees from Kilkis in the geographical region of Macedonia in Greece, Kostadin Gugov is still celebrated as one of the most authentic..

published on 2/12/25 9:45 AM