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

“The Rhythm of the Balkans” – a project by the BNR’s Folk Music Orchestra offering a unique blend of traditions

Photo: BNR Folk Music Orchestra

Tamburitsa from Serbia, tsymbaly from Romania, lyra from Crete and bagpipe from Bulgaria – these are the instruments audiences will be able to hear in the 10th edition of what has proved to be the most successful project of the Bulgarian National Radio’s Folk Music Orchestra – “The Rhythm of the Balkans”.
Dimitar Hristov

The musicians, with conductor Dimitar Hristov, will be performing at 7 PM on Thursday, 10 April, in Studio No. 1 of the Bulgarian National Radio.

Over the years, “The Rhythm of the Balkans” has proved to be a unique blend of the tradition, the rhythms and the emotions of Balkan music. This latest edition of the project will present four magnificent musicians: The Serbian tamburitsa virtuoso Branko Bako Jovanović, the Romanian tsymbaly master Anatol Kazanoy, the gentle voice of the Crete lyra, played by Kelly Thoma and the exciting sound of the Bulgarian bagpipes in the hands of Petyo Kostadinov, all of them splendid musicians with remarkable international careers, true ambassadors of traditional Balkan music around the world.
Petyo Kostadinov, Branko Bako Jovanović, Anatol Kazanoy and Kelly Thoma

“The Rhythm of the Balkans” is more than a series of concerts, it is a comprehensive project which has, through the years, evolved into a major music event in the country. Every year, it demonstrates that the Balkans can band together in music, because music throws bridges among nations.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos: Ani Petrova, Facebook /BNR Folk Music Orchestra (photographer: Stephan Talneau)



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

Gabrovo will host the first edition of International Swing Dixie Week

On the occasion of the announcement of a joint candidacy of Gabrovo and Veliko Tarnovo for the European Capital of Culture in 2032, the residents of Gabrovo are reminding us of the common cultural values ​​of the two towns. This will happen along the..

published on 8/25/25 10:24 AM
Petko Staynov (1896 – 1977)

Petko Staynov's Thracian Dances

“Who doesn’t know ‘Thracian Dances’? Who hasn’t heard of them?” – we might hear this exclamation from a lover of Bulgarian music, if given the chance to hear just a few bars of the iconic suite. In fact, even those completely unfamiliar with..

published on 8/22/25 4:35 PM

Open-air jazz festival takes place in Hisarya

A new musical event is starting – on August 22 and 23, the first Hisarya Jazz Open-Air Festival will be held in the town of Hisarya. As part of the municipality's overall strategy for the development of cultural life and tourism, the..

published on 8/21/25 11:02 AM