Dimitar Kokov has lived in Portugal for 25 years and defines himself as a polyvalent person. In his role as an entrepreneur, he founded several companies. Among them there is one for software services, which works with clients from all over the world, as well as a telemedicine platform, connecting some of the best doctors with patients in different countries.

In addition, he participates as a consultant in the European Health Parliament, where he gives his expert’s opinion on the future of digital healthcare on the Old Continent and for all his activities he has received prestigious international awards. Exceptional violist and one of the founders of the "Sofia Soloists" chamber ensemble Ivan Shamliev stands out in his family history and Dimitar Kokov inherited his passion for music from him.

"One of the first things I remember in my life is how my mother put me to sleep on her shoulder while listening to Hard Luck Woman by KISS,” Dimitar Kokov recalls. “At the age of three I already knew how to play a cassette tape and listened to my favorite band all day. When I turned five, I imagined that I was part of the band and played in front of fans. Although I entered the children's course at the music school in Sofia with a competition, I played out of obligation. Around the age of seven I already had ideas in my head for entire pieces and recorded them humming on the cassette tape recorder."

Dimitar Kokov says that IT and telemedicine came later in his life, as first he wanted to make music that was close to his heart. When he graduated from school, he realized that information technologies would change the future and graduated as a software engineer in Portugal. Entrepreneurship was also on the agenda. In the meantime, he made software for Mayo Clinic – one of the largest hospitals in the United States.

"I had not studied to be a doctor, nor did I have the financial means, but I really wanted to build a hospital,” Dimitar Kokov says. “I thought about how I could achieve this dream of mine. And since I saw a great future in telemedicine, I practically built a virtual hospital with some of the best doctors in Portugal, who to this day help patients all over the world. This happened many years ago, when online consultations seemed strange to patients and almost offensive to doctors. So, with a lot of work and hardship, I got to 2020, when the Covid pandemic broke out. Patients, doctors and even investors quickly changed their minds and realized the potential that I had always seen in telemedicine – from now on, this is the future."

Dimitar Kokov chose the source of his music as the name of his album “Soul”, which will be ready very soon. He wrote the music and lyrics of the songs himself and performed the instrumental parts and vocals in his studio in Porto. On streaming platforms, where the musician performs under the name Dimitar, the singles Inevitable and Queen Of The Night can already be heard.

"After participation in many bands and music projects, I needed to release the songs I write,” the musician says. “They unite many of my favorite styles - rock, pop, blues, fusion, funk. I love composing ballads. According to the audience, I create melodic and memorable songs and I put feeling and soul into them. My next album will feature famous guest musicians from Portugal and Bulgaria.”

Dimitar Kokov hopes that one day he will have a concert in his homeland, which he has never broken his connection with. He shows this by teaching his child Bulgarian, by keeping his home open for friends from Bulgaria, by gathering for holidays with compatriots in Portugal, and by not betraying the Bulgarian taste, including in cooking. "If I have made someone's life better through music or through entrepreneurial projects, for me this will be the greatest recognition and satisfaction," he says in conclusion.

Author: Diana Tsankova

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photos: Facebook /Dimitar Kokov