Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

"Where art thou, faithful love of the people"

The story of this song goes back to Bulgaria’s struggle for independence of the Ottoman Empire. It was created by Dobri Chintulov, teacher, poet and composer of the Bulgarian Revival period, who worked for the enlightenment and national self-awareness of his compatriots. Graduate of the Theological Seminary in Odessa, he was an advocate for national and church freedom.

Dobri Chintulov wrote the lyrics of the song "Kude si, vyarna ti lyubov narodna" ("Where art thou, faithful love of the people") while he was in Odessa. The tune, however, was probably the melody of another song, popular at the time, but whose title is now forgotten. Forgotten is the last word one can say about "Kude si vyarna ti lyubov narodna". The song became a symbol of the awakening of a nation. An awakening that started from a "spark of love" and turned into a "raging flame".


Together with “Stani, stani yunak balkanski” ("Wake up, wake up, Balkan hero"), “Viatar echi, Balkan stene” ("Wind is howling, Balkan is moaning") and several other revolutionary songs by Dobri Chintulov, it raised the spirit of the Bulgarian patriots during the April Uprising (1876) and the Russo-Turkish War that brought the Liberation of Bulgaria (1878-1879).

Photos: archive



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

The concert "Bulgarian Bassos for Boris Christoff" will tour five cities to mark the 110th anniversary of the opera singer's birth

Bulgarian opera singers will pay tribute to the great basso Boris Christoff on the 110th anniversary of his birth at the concert "Bulgarian Bassos for Boris Christoff". They will perform his most emblematic roles, recalling his world triumphs with a..

published on 10/10/24 1:18 PM

Theodosii Spassov presents ‘’Balkan Moods’’ in Geneva

The renowned Bulgarian kaval player Theodosii Spassov will give a concert tonight in Geneva, Switzerland. The concert starts at 8 pm in Frank-Martin Hall and is titled "Balkan Moods". Theodosii Spassov will perform together with four other musicians:..

updated on 10/8/24 1:16 PM

Radostina Yovkova’s song "Ti doide" combines folklore and pop sound

Radostina Yovkova’s song, entitled "Ti doide" is an interesting meeting of Bulgarian folklore and contemporary creativity. The singer invited her colleague Boris Iliev for the realization of the song. "Ti doide" is a combination of Radostina's song..

published on 10/7/24 5:54 PM