“Island of Music” is one of the most vibrant summer events, of interest to professionals and music lovers in equal measure. The 11^th edition of the festival opens on 1 July and will go on until the end of August.

“I am happy to say we were able to put together a fascinating programme comprising established musicians as well as young performers who have already made a name for themselves,” says Lilia Tosheva, director of the municipal cultural institute – house of culture Sredets, organizer of the event alongside Sofia municipality’s Culture department. There is a specific day of the week for these concerts – every Wednesday, at 7.30 PM, and the venue – the outdoor stage in Borisova Gradina Park. If weather conditions are unsuitable the events will be transferred to Sofia’s “Largo”. Admission is free, but both musicians and audience must comply with the physical distancing requirements and all measures set down by the Health Ministry.

“We kick off with Project Y Jazz – young musicians who will play well-known melodies from last century. One of them is Veleka Tsankova,” says lilia Tosheva. “Then comes the traditional performance of the Sofia Brass Orchestra with the Iskar house of culture, with conductor Yuli Damyanov (8 July), a band with a history going back many years and with an impressive repertoire. The programme features works by Georges Bizet, Ennio Morricone, Frank Sinatra etc. On 15 July we invite music lovers to Bankya for the performance of Spectrum Vocal Band, the superb acapella band which released its debut album a few months ago. Next Wednesday we shall be able to hear jazz singer Vesela Morova, one of the motors behind Spectrum with Yordan Tonovski trio in an emotional journey back to the time of bebop and hard bop. The last concert in July is by Old School Trombone, one of whose members of well-known trombonist Vili Stoyanov. August comes with a concert by Marina Gospodinova – a refined jazz singer of the younger generation, with her quartet. There will be a “hot” night with Irene Vasquez and her Latino band. One more event not to be missed is the concert by SoulBMoul.

The summer festival ends with the “Sofia” jazz band with the “Nadezhda” municipal cultural institute. I would like to reiterate how happy I am with what we have done. In these difficult times for culture we were able to bring together some superb musicians, and we shall offer our audience wonderful music and beautiful summer emotions.”