Bulgarian children have frequently represented the country at international singing contests successfully – for example, the second place won by young Krisia, alongside the talented pianists Hasan and Ibrahim, at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Malta in 2014. Or 13-year old Denitsa Vassileva who came third at the Sanremo Junior for solo singers in the 13-15 age category ин 2015.

Now, this country is to have one more strong contestant at the junior edition of the international contest in Italy. 11-year old Madlen Tomova is leaving from Sofia for Sanremo today, where she will take part in the contest with Queen’s The Show Must Go On, to the accompaniment of the festival orchestra.

This year’s contestant goes to school No. 17 Damyan Gruev in Sofia, and is studying singing with music pedagogue Plamena Zlateva who discovered her talent years ago.

The vocal pedagogue describes her participation in the contest as key, as the selection is very strict – by a jury of experts from all over the world.

“It is a great responsibility precisely because the criteria for the solo performers are so high, and the children taking part come literally from all over the place,” says Plamena Zlateva in an interview with Radio Bulgaria:  

“This internationally recognized contest is taking place for the 15^th time. It is under the patronage of Sanremo municipality in Italy. It is open to children aged 6 to 15, and the fact that many of its winners went on to earn international success goes to show just how high the standard of the competition is. Seven years ago, a student of mine took part – Nicole Palascheva – and two years ago she reached the finals on a very popular TV song show in Italy. The requirements are very high because there is pre-selection for this contest, and it is done by an international jury who decide which children can represent which country at the contest. The child has to present the song in the best way possible - in terms of intonation but also of emotion which is really very important. But no one can say beforehand which children from which country are going to take part this year. Madlen is an incredible singer. She may be 11 but she has been evolving so fast in her singing, and I am very hopeful we are going to be among the best on stage.”

The Show Must Go On is a very difficult song, especially for a girl Madlen’s age, the pedagogue says. “It was her own choice, but I do believe she will have the strength to put on a brilliant performance,” says her teacher.

Madlen Tomova herself says she is very excited by her upcoming participation in Sanremo Junior, and that, though children in this country are on their spring break, she has been working very hard:

“I go to rehearsals, piano and solfeggio. I also take stage presence lessons, so I am doing my best to get ready for the competition. I am ready to give the best performance I can. There are always things like stage fright – but I am nervous before I go on stage, as soon as I am on stage, the nervousness goes away, and I am left alone, with the microphone. I have been on many stages, I have been to many contests and competitions. I have many awards and prizes, and I will continue to compete in contests at a higher and higher level to test my abilities.”

We on our part would like to wish Madlen Tomova all the best, and success at the contest in Sanremo!

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova

Photos: YouTube /Madlen Tomova, sanremojunior.it