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The BNR Symphony Orchestra protests with concert silence

Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR

The Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra undertook effective protest action, as shown in videos of their June 6 concert at Bulgaria Hall, which were posted on social media. The BNR Symphony Orchestra refused to perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s ''Symphonic Dances''. This was one of the three pieces scheduled in their concert program. The guest conductor was Ekhart Wycik from Germany.

''Silence is our only weapon'', violinist Zvezdelina Haltakova told the audience, as quoted by dnevnik.bg. She added that for years they have been forced to create in inacceptable working conditions — lack of instruments, lack of concert clothing and insultingly-low pay. The concert hall supported the silent protest with applause.

On June 4, at a press conference held at BTA, young musicians from the BNR Symphony Orchestra stated that they receive a net monthly salary of 1,260 BGN (619 EUR). 

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR



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