If one day you happen to climb a remote mountain peak and hear someone play the guitar, that person would most-probably be Bulgarian musician Petar Georgiev. Petar is a professional jazz guitarist and composer. However, he is also a keen mountaineer. Petar Georgiev likes to conquer mountain peaks on different continents and get acquainted with foreign lands. He is always accompanied by his guitar during his trips. In the spring of 2014 the Bulgarian musician recorded a video to his author's piece Summit Fever at Kala Patthar mount (which rises at an altitude of 5550 meters above sea level) in the Himalayas, below Everest Peak. In 2015 he went on a long trip to Peru, Bolivia and the Andes. This year Petar visited the Russian part of the Caucasus Mountains.

“I always take my guitar with me on the long trips. I recorded my author's piece on Kala Patthar Peak. I did not have any professional equipment, but I told myself that I would somehow succeed. Two days before I recorded my song I met with a Canadian tourist. Fortunately, he was a professional cameraman who worked for the British National Television. He was carrying his camera with him. He got inspired when I told him about my idea to record a video to my piece in the Himalayas. The weather was beautiful and we decided to record the video to Summit Fever song, which contained wonderful views from the world's tallest mount- Everest. It is very difficult to play the guitar in such a cold weather, because your fingers freeze quickly. I wanted to record a video on Elbrus peak as well, but I was not able to play my guitar even with two pairs of gloves on my hands. Security is my top priority. I can't afford to get wounded, because it would mean an end to my career. I met with a woman in a mountain hut, who liked the way I played the guitar. She offered me to organize a concert in the town of Terskol. Later, we played 10 pieces in a pub and had agreat experience.The people were expecting to hear VladimirVysotsky, but we played jazz and pop in English. They didn't know what our songs were about, but liked our music a lot. We drank beer together and everything went the Russian way.”

Currently the Bulgarian musician is planning to acquaint his audience with his latest experience in the Caucasus. Petar and his fellow-traveler Iliana Oblakova tell in a presentation useful and entertaining stories from the world of travel and mountaineering. They share their biggest difficulties such as how tiresome it was to carry twenty seven kilograms of luggage on your back if you weigh only 65 kilos, what was the feeling of being hit by a hailstorm at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level, are there any marmots in the Caucasus, what is altitude sickness and many other stories accompanied with photos. People are invited to enjoy their adventure on October 26, Wednesday, in Studio 5 at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. Here is what Petar told Radio Bulgaria about his emotions in the Caucasus:

“I did not have any special expectations when I departed to that mountain. I only wanted to see how the Caucasus looked. I was very impressed with what I saw there. It was very beautiful. The local people were very hospitable and kind-hearted. One of the stories is about people from the Republic of Dagestan who treated us as if we were their own children. We were looking for a place to stretch out tents and we chose a meadow. There was a camp in the distance. One man came to us and told us in Russian to join them. There were four married couples in the camp who were very kind and well-intentioned. They brought us dinner, tea and took good care of us.”

Petar showed reticence to some of the places he visited such as Bolivia, where he travelled alone. However, he enjoyed positive attitude from the local people who liked his music a lot. What makes the young Bulgarian musician happy?

“I enjoy creating music. I like the feeling when people go home after my concerts with good mood and smiles on their faces. I want them to feel the magic of my music, dream about something, or merely to relax and spend several great hours. I feel free and relaxed when I travel. I switch my phone off and have no internet access. Life goes back to the basic things-you walk, explore unknown lands, taste new meals and meet new people.”

Currently, Petar Georgiev is about to complete his first music album Inspirations with author's pieces, written during his trips worldwide and inspired by the places he visited. You can experience that music the most if you listen to it out in the nature, the Bulgarian musician went on to say. Those who want to feel an explosive combination of funk, calypso and groovy boogaloo are welcome at Studio 5 at 10 pm on October 14 (Friday).

English version: Kostadin Atanasov