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ISSUE 05/FREE The official magazine of Radio Bulgaria How about a Chariot Ride? IT village FC Levski turns 100 THE Eastern RhodopeS – Bulgaria UNKNOWN zoom/content The Eastern Rhodopes 13 Bulgaria unknown In memoriam: Bulgarian opera basso Nicola Ghiuselev 20 28 4 South Stream: Bulgaria in unprecedented situation 5 The future is here and it is digital 6 Benefits and costs of Bulgaria’s EU membership 8 IT village FC Levski turns 100 Essential oils, herbs and tradition go into the 10 making of Bulgarian cosmetics Publisher: Radio Bulgaria/ website: bnr.bg email: [email protected], tel: 00359 2 9336 661 Advertising: [email protected], tel: 00359 2 9336 633 Photos: BGNES, BTA, BNR, Infotourism.net, Veneta Nikolova Painter Gredi Assa – 26 crossing the desert of beauty Design/ prepress: Dimitar Petrin Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 3 zoom/news South Stream: Bulgaria in unprecedented situation by Tania Harizanova the shareholders of the company which was put on Washington’s blacklist during the Ukrainian crisis. Washington has warned Bulgaria that it would impose sanctions on all companies entering into partnership with the Russian firm in question. The latter could affect the Bulgarian Energy Holding and any bank which decides to provide loans to the subcontractors of the South Stream pipeline. Bulgaria found itself in an unprecedented situation after Brussels and Washington threatened sanctions at the same time, because of the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline across Bulgarian territory. Moscow described the steps taken by the Bulgarian government as “energy blackmail against Russia”. Media in the West commented that the pressure exerted on Bulgaria has been successful, while media in Russia blame the USA for dealing a blow to the South Stream project. Events in Bulgaria underwent a turnabout in just a day and even people in Bulgaria were in the dark as to what really happened. Sofia Bulgaria’s Premier Plamen Oresharski ordered the halting of the South Stream pipeline until the country negotiates the construction of the project with Brussels. This took place after the meeting PM Oresharski had with three US congressmen who paid an official visit to Sofia. Bulgaria’s Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev said that the South Stream project was irreversible and was important for both Europe and Bulgaria and the current controversies only concern the way it should be carried out. In his view, Washington is opposed only to the selected subcontractor. 4 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June Brussels “The Commission will also ensure that all energy infrastructure and projects in the European Union such as South Stream comply 100 per cent with European rules on energy competition public procurements and so on. We have just launched an infringement procedure against Bulgaria which shows that we mean business”, said EC President Jose Manuel Barroso at the G-7 summit. To prove its intentions Brussels froze the EU funds granted Bulgaria under several programmes. EU Commissioner for Consumer Protection Neven Mimica who paid an official visit to Bulgaria stated in Brussels support that the South Stream project diversifies only the gas routes, not the actual gas source, which is not an EU priority. Washington US Senator John McCain plainly said after his meeting with Premier Oresharski that the USA would like to see Russia playing a lesser role in the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline. US Ambassador to Sofia Marcie Ries said her country was deeply worried about Bulgaria’s decision to choose the Russian company Stroytransgas to build the pipeline on Bulgarian territory. Gennady Timchenko, who is close to Vladimir Putin, is one of Moscow Moscow contends that it will build the pipeline, despite the sanctions coming from Brussels. Even if the European banks refuse to provide financing, Russian energy giant Gasprom will itself fund the project estimated at over EUR 16 billion. Moscow is blaming the EC of double standards, because the requirements set down for the South Stream did not apply to similar pipelines connecting North Africa with Spain and Italy, for example. A Russian MP even described Bulgaria’s decision to suspend the construction of the South Stream pipeline as “energy blackmail against Russia” and accused Europe of “simulating activity and trying to solve the problem, while actually trying to force Moscow’s hand to transit gas across Ukraine only”. Pressure exerted from Brussels Why Bulgaria? Because this country is closest to the Black Sea where the water section of the pipeline connects to European territory. Brussels decided to grant some EUR 15 billion to Bulgaria over the next programming period 2014-2020 and along with the possible sanctions Bulgaria, could also lose a lot of money from these EU funds. That is why it is worth respecting European energy legislation. zoom/news The future is here and it is digital by Tania Harizanova that there will be some 900 thousand vacant well-paid job positions in the IT sector by 2020 which will require highly-qualified staff. In fact, the digital economy demands the possession of some digital skills, in order to make a career. According to latest surveys, over 40% of the Bulgarian population lacks basic digital skills. In 2020, all people must be able to use the social networks, use professional software and teach interactive lessons, whether they are doctors, teachers or journalists. This is the purpose of our coalition”, Gergana Passy further adds. Can Bulgaria regain its former glory of a “technological nation”? The world is a giant operating system that just needs to be debugged, says Bill Gates. One of the problems the European operating system faces is the fact that the Old Continent will need some 900 thousand IT experts by 2020. According to the European Commission data, the people who work in the IT and the telecommunications field account for a mere 3.4% of the total workforce within the European Union. Interest in making a career in the IT sphere has been dwindling of late and the number of students with a degree in Computer Science has been going down constantly since 2006. The shortage of staff in the IT sector is huge across Europe, Bulgaria making no exception. What is the solution to this problem? The European Commission has committed itself to this issue and the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs Initiative aims at addressing the issue of the shortage of highly-qualified IT experts in Europe. The National Digital Coalition in Bulgaria, bearing the key name DNA, also joined the broader European initiative. “In our view, it is really a matter of DNA and how we manage to implement this code on all levels in Bulgaria, so our economy and people may be more competitive”, says the founder of the coalition Gergana Passy. However, the truth is that our digital world is riddled with many uncertainties and there are fears that current life and business models are subject to change. However, the future is already here and it is digital. “It is very important to me, because it places Bulgaria among the most progressive nations”, says Gergana Passy in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. “Of course, agriculture and tourism are also very important to this country. However, education is top priority. It is important to see what each one of us can do. Europe is also worried about the shortage of personnel in the IT sphere. There are nearly six million unemployed across the continent as at the same time the institutions estimate “I strongly believe in this”, says Gergana Passy. “I am leaning on Finland’s experience, because we should not think we have to be a rich country, in order to work miracles. Finland was once one of the poorest countries with the worst education and unfavourable economic environment, due to its severe climate. Agriculture was also in a very bad way. Today Finland is one of the most advanced countries worldwide, because it managed to build its economy on innovations and education. This is what matters most - can we think innovatively and can we encourage our children to become entrepreneurs, give them a proper education and keep them living in the country later. Bulgaria has unique entrepreneurs aged between fifteen and twenty five at present. There are many experienced businessmen who are ready to take the plunge. However, we were raised on fear of failure. The truth is that all successful people have had many failures in the past”, concludes Gergana Passy. Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 5 zoom/news Benefits and costs of Bulgaria’s EU membership by Iliana Raicheva Bulgaria has been a full member of the EU for seven years now. In order to fully answer the question what is the cost of the country’s EU membership, we need to ask ourselves for what we expected from the European Union and did we get what we wanted? During the whole process of accession to the EU - from the application phase, through the negotiations, all the way to the actual admission to the Union, people in Bulgaria were claiming that the country is joining the “right” family and opposing the totalitarian regime. “I think that Bulgaria is still quite cautious in its EU membership”, said Professor Ingrid Shikova who lectures EU Policies at the Saint Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia. “I would also say that we are even shy and bashful. The fruit we harvest from our EU membership is not of the sweetest and this is perhaps due to the economic and financial crisis which loomed in Europe at the beginning of our membership. It is very important that we received a “chair and a microphone” with our EU membership. We can not comprehend that and usually put the European funds and the opportunity to travel freely as our top advantages. However, we can voice our opinion through the “chair and the microphone” and defend our national interests, which is of great importance for each full member of the EU.” What are the consequences of the country’s membership? Lyubov Panayotova who is Director of the 6 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June European Institute in Sofia tries to find an answer to this question. “Unfortunately, most people say that they do not live well since Bulgaria joined the EU. Due to the increasing populism and nationalism in Europe, Bulgaria has been subject to criticism on issues such as the labour market, ethnic minorities or the free movement in the EU which is one of the fundamental values of the Union. Perhaps, we are also to be blamed for that, because we failed to take full advantage of our European dream. I hope that despite all difficulties, the young generation which has already felt the benefits of the Erasmus programmes and the opportunities to travel freely, will fulfill this dream”. “Bulgaria continues to behave as a country which is still negotiating with the EU for its accession”, contends political expert Vladimir Shopov. “Our biggest achievement over the past seven years is linked with the ability to acquire the necessary administrative techniques during the harmonization of the national legislation with the European law. However, we have not learnt to analyze European policies, in order to make adequate decisions regarding Bulgaria’s participation in these policies. We failed to change our attitude on issues like corruption and organized crime. I think that we also failed to meet some of the expectations of other European countries towards us such as taking responsibility in the region of South East Europe, the Balkans and the Black Sea Region. Europe was expecting Bulgaria and Romania would play a more active role in the processes in these regions.” “With regard to the current state of the EU, I can say that it is in a very difficult position”, says Professor Ingrid Shikova. “We ask ourselves whether the EU possesses the necessary means to preserve its values and protect its economy from decay. Can we protect the world from terrorism and wars? We thought that war was far from our continent, but recent years proved it is not. We should not forget what happened in former Yugoslavia years ago and see what is happening in Ukraine now. All these events took place and are still unfolding in the European continent. That is why Europe must overcome the differences and the disputes over certain issues. Real life brings different challenges and we must have a strong motivation to form a political alliance. Otherwise, we can not move forward”, concludes Professor Shikova. zoom/live How about a Chariot Ride? Sofia now has Europe’s most advanced electric bus Have you already seen the naturefriendly e-bus travelling along Sofia’s line 11? It is an intelligent, unassuming vehicle that covers 23 km with an average 8-minute charge of its Ultra Capacitor. Inside, it is noiseless and with free WiFi internet access. To cut a long story short, the vehicle looks like the ultimate chariot of the 21st century. in mid-May, Europe’s most advanced electric bus landed in Sofia and opened its doors to its first passengers. Last year, the European Environment Agency stated that Bulgaria has the highest concentration in its air of sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in Europe. The distressing figures have prompted Sofia Municipality to begin major financing of nature-friendly vehicles. the new bus technology can help city planners reduce operating costs and decrease emissions by unprecedented levels. Zwika Zimmerman, Chairman of the Board of Chariot Motors, explained: “I have no doubt that these next generation electric buses are the future of urban public transport. This is the first electric bus on the streets of Europe that does not require traditional battery charging and can cover its whole route on a single charge requiring just a few minutes. However I’m confident that it won’t be the last.” The cutting-edge ultra-capacitor technology of the Chariot e-bus enables the vehicle to capture energy from braking and use it to propel the bus forward to reach previously unachievable ranges. The ultra-capacitor technology has been tested in Shanghai for more than seven years, clocking up more than 8 million kilometres, but has never before been launched in Europe. The new bus will run across a 23-km round-trip route. Its average daily energy consumption has already been test-proven in Sofia to be about 0.95kWh/km. Translated into energy cost per kilometre, this produces a ratio of up to 10 times in favour of the Chariot E-bus. In the meantime, Sofia is looking forward to a further breath of fresh air from more nature-friendly e-buses. www.chariot-electricbus.com [email protected] “During the past year, Sofia Municipality has invested close to 200 million euro in various projects for the purchase of environmentally-friendly vehicles”, Mayor Yordanka Fandakova says. These huge investments are provided under the Environment and Regional Development Programmes of the European Union. They are aimed to give a major facelift to the city’s public transport philosophy. And the Chariot e-bus looks like the perfect solution: it does not produce any direct CO2 emissions. Instead, only indirect emissions are created from the generation of electricity, but this is less than one third of that of a normal diesel bus. The vehicle is the result of the Chariot Motors’ efforts that brought together the world’s top bus technologies along with cutting-edge ultra-capacitor technology powering the bus. Chariot Motors says Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 7 zoom/live IT village by Roumyana Tsvetkova 8 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June W e have somehow got used to the fact that many young Bulgarians say their future passes through Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport. That is why the news that some of them want to stay in the country and even settle in a village is quite surprising. The unusual idea of 28-yearold Ivan Kukov for the restoration of depopulated villages by bringing IT experts to live there wowed media and social networks. The idea won a Facebook contest named “Buy a village, create a better place to live in Bulgaria”. The young IT expert claims that all this is doable. We are all aware of the fact that villages are depopulated mostly because there are no jobs for young people there. “Nowadays it is realistic for freelancers and people with remote jobs to go and settle in a village. No matter the place, the Internet connection is essential,” Ivan says. Nobody can dispute the advantages of the countryside: it is more peaceful, the air is clean, the food is tasty and people are smiling. More and more enthusiasts feel attracted to Ivan’s idea. The IT Village community in Facebook now has nearly 3,400 fans. “Most of them can work remotely,” Ivan says. “There are journalists, translators and all kinds of occupations that are not necessarily linked to a specific place – an office downtown, 9 am – 6 pm. Besides many people from abroad have got in touch with us, ready to return here and to start their countryside life. And there are not just young people. There are doctors, teachers, even a lady from England who plans to return here in the summer.” “A relatively good infrastructure is essential, since travelling to towns and cities should be possible. Not too high in the mountain where snow could block you for three days. We are also talking about stable electricity and water supply network systems. We are aware that only bigger villages have sewerage zoom/live systems, but local treatment plants are a solution that is getting cheaper every day…” Ivan Kukov and his friends plan to visit the selected spots. No wonder they have already been inundated with offers from different people who try to bring back to life villages across Bulgaria. These are settlements close to the capital city, in the area of the mystic Rhodope Mountain, as well as in Bulgaria’s Northwest, the poorest region of the EU. Ivan says that the newcomers could combine their everyday PC occupation with some typical rural activity, such as beekeeping or gardening. At the same time their presence there could provide work for people with other occupations, such as teachers and doctors. Locals could profit, too – a grandpa and a grandma could look after a small vegetable garden for 2-3 families and receive a payment, exceeding their pensions,” Ivan says. The young man has also found a solution with regard to the entertainment side, which his coevals have now grown accustomed to: “If there are enough people in a village and they don’t have a cinema, one can be made out of a PC and a projector. Technologies nowadays make it all so easy. Different cultural or theatre performances can be arranged too, with expenses paid to amateur formations, for instance.” Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 9 zoom/live Essential oils, herbs and tradition go into the making of Bulgarian cosmetics by Joan Kolev Interview with Milena Georgieva, Rosa Impex Marketing Manager The Bulgarian cosmetics industry is not finding it easy to cope with the competition of multinational companies on the international market. But Bulgarian products have found niches on the world markets thanks to their competitive prices and quality and the natural components – rose, lavender, marigold, grapes, honey and herbs. Founded in 1991, Rosa Impex is the first private cosmetics company in Bulgaria. Today it is the leading manufacturer of hair and skin care cosmetics and exports its products to four continents. How is a Bulgarian company coping on the world market and what is keeping it competitive? We talked to Milena Georgieva, Marketing Manager at the company. The Rosa Impex products are used in 33 countries around the world. 80 percent of its products are sold on the international market, a rare 10 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June achievement for a Bulgarian company. What are the advantages you have over the competition? We have always prided ourselves on being a Bulgarian company and have been making every effort to do the country honour with our products. The company uses cuttingedge equipment, facilities and technology. We use raw materials of the highest quality and have certification to ISO 9001: 2008, ISO 22716 GMP standards in cosmetics, as well as ISO 14001 for environmental protection. It is really a wonderful thing that we have constructed a modern enterprise with a streamlined quality system but what gives Rosa Impex its power are not the buildings or the equipment but the people who work here. We all know how difficult it is to put a team together, a team of knowledgeable and capable professionals, of people with a creative spirit. A great deal of love, science and care for our customers has been invested in each and every one of our products. And it is this same approach we apply to our clients: each client matters, no matter big or small. The secret of high-quality European cosmetics is frequently to be found in the use of Bulgarian attar of roses. What are the raw materials and innovations you use for your products? Our products can well be called a biopanoply of the best of Bulgarian oils, herbs and traditions. When we create our products we always endeavour to invest in them the spirit of our zoom/live wonderful country, because Bulgaria has innumerable skin elixirs to offer. Of course, we use products extracted from roses, but the country also has an array of precious herbs that remain, as yet, unknown to the broad public; however we use them because we appreciate their invaluable properties. We only use natural components as well as the latest innovations in world skincare practice. How many products does the company have now and how many when it was starting out? Which would you say have been your most successful products? We currently turn out more than 400 hair, face and body care products. Every market has its favourite products and this is dictated by the modern trends in the country, by the climate, the skin and hair type etc. For 23 years we have been creating new and high-quality products. We put a new series on the market every 3-4 months, we expand or refresh the existing ones and always do our best to keep abreast of the latest tendencies and to offer our clients only the best. It is difficult to say which have been our most successful products, though our hair colouring cream vip’s PRESTIGE is an undisputed market leader. In recent years we have been very successful with our REGAL cosmetics, which are currently on their way to conquering the Asian markets. What is your company philosophy based on? Making the best of the best possible. Rosa Impex has received numerous awards for its products but also for its corporate and social awareness, its charity and patronage. Which are the projects you are most proud of, projects whose results have given the greatest satisfaction? One of our most highly valued projects is the national charity campaign For One More Bulgarian Baby which assisted 37 couples with reproductive problems undergo in vitro procedures and now the Rosa Impex family has 8 children – the future of the country. We also assist Bulgarian culture – the International Chamber Music Festival and many other cultural and social events in Plovdiv and around the country. The Crossroads Stage International Drama Festival in Plovdiv, of which Rosa Impex is general sponsor, will take place for the 18th year running this autumn. zoom/travel The Eastern Rhodopes: 3 in 1 Dutch style by Maria Dimitrova-Pichot Five years ago, two Dutch environmental organizations - ARK and Avalon turned their attention to the Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria. This is the mountain of the legendary Thracian priest Orpheus and is characterized by a unique biodiversity and pristine nature. The project of the NGOs was entitled New Thracian Gold and combines 3 elements - habitat restoration, eco-tourism and organic farming into a single integrated approach. The project ends this year with significant achievements in the creation of models for the sustainable development of the Eastern Rhodopes. ARK team leader Frank Zanderink told Radio Bulgaria more: “When in 2009 the New Thracian Gold project started in the Eastern Rhodopes, there were only seven certified organic producers. Today there is a network of 40 certified farms. A number of guest houses were built too. The first detailed tourist map of the Eastern Rhodopes was published too, together with a guide in Bulgarian and English, as well as a map for the TransRhodope eco trail. The successful reintroduction of large herbivores previously extinct in the region plays a major role in reviving essential natural processes. This has also led to an increase in the number of tourists in the region.Снимка One of the local organic farmers - Petko Angelov practices biodynamic farming. It is based on ancient agricultural practices that rely on the lunar calendar, the influence of the stars and the sun. Mr. Angelov grows an ancient variety of wheat dating back to Thracian times. It is always sowed on the day of the vernal equinox and reaped on the day of the autumnal equinox. We plough and sow barefoot, Mr. Angelov explains and adds: ”The energy contained in the earth needs to pass to the farmer and vice versa. Vital energies must be exchanged. For the ancient Thracians, the center of everything was Mother Earth. Their agriculture was gentle to the earth and they abided by principles recommended by a number of institutes today. We do not practice deep plowing. In bio-dynamic farming a strict schedule of the processes is kept. Different types of farming work is done according to astronomical and other natural factors. Over the past few years we have been trying to restore Thracian agricultural practices dating back 8,000 years. Last year, we made a test sowing a field according to modern methods and one according to the Thracian practices. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the application of the bio-dynamic principles yielded much better results. This way productivity is increased without using any herbicides or fertilizers. We use special minerals that are very common in our country such as zeolites. When put into the soil, they enrich it slowly for a period of up to 10 years.” People can get acquainted with some of these curious agricultural practices borrowed from the ancient Thracians during the festival of bread that will take place in the village of Rabovo in July. The event has been attracting more and more attention over the years and the festival is visited by a number of Bulgarian, Dutch and German tourists. Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 13 zoom/travel THE Eastern Rhodope Mountain – Bulgaria UNKNOWN by Rumiana Tsvetkova The Eastern Rhodope Mountain is one of the places people fall in love with at first glance and become hooked on its magnetic power and striking beauty, longing to return there again and again. For many historians and archeologists this place is a cradle of different civilizations. If you choose the Eastern Rhodope Mountain for your tourist destination, you will not need a time machine to take you thousands of years back and tread in the footsteps of the ancient ancestors or touch their lifestyle and mysterious beliefs. The oldest settlement in these lands was discovered in the centre of the modern town of Kardzhali. It dates back to the 6th millennium BC. One of the earliest paved streets covered with river stones is to be found there. Many impressive examples of life in the Eastern Rhodope Mountain from antiquity to the present days can be seen in the Regional Museum of History in Kardzhali. Almost every foot of this sacred mountain reveals finds connected with the Ancient Thracians who once lived in these lands. The ancient Thracians had exceptional knowledge in astronomy. This is proven by the archeological and astronomical study of the rock sanctuary Harman Kaya. Two plots with concentric semicircles carved into the rocks were found there. They were probably used by the Thracians to measure the annual cycle and for determining the winter and summer equilibrium. Well-preserved monasteries from the medieval and the Ottoman periods can also be seen in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. 14 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June zoom/travel – The religious complex Tatul is another must-see in this region. One of the hypotheses suggests it is 6,000 years old older even than the Pyramids in Egypt. The complex consists of an ancient pagan sanctuary and a medieval fortress. There is a scientific hypothesis that it was the sanctuary of Orpheus and is even the place where the mythical singer was buried. Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 15 zoom/travel Perperikon is situated at an altitude of 470 metres near the town of Kardzhali, Southeastern Bulgaria. Hewn into the rocks, it is now one of the oldest monuments. It embodies the history of this region from several epochs. According 16 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June to scholars, the famous sanctuary of God Dionysus was right here and all prophecies made here came true. This is why many illustrious people from the past turned to the priestesses who conducted wine and fire rituals. The name of the ancient religious centre comes from the Old Greek language. The word Hyperperakion means a huge fire. It gave the name to the gold coin with a high gold content, which was minted in Byzantium in 1082. Historians explain the connection between the name of the coin and the rock monument with the local gold deposits. The gold mines, where the Thracians and later the Byzantine people used to extract gold, are 2 km from the rocky town. Soon after the monetary reform this sophisticated word was made shorter. Thus the word Perperikon ultimately emerged. Nobody knows what this place was called in the old ages. The first evidence of life dates back to the Late Stone Age (the Neolithic age) - the late 6th and early 5th millennium BC. The end of the Copper-Stone age provides evidence that this big stone massif was a place of worship. The first sanctuary was to the Sun-God. It is situated next to the so-called oval hall, where the sanctuary of God Dionisius was later built. “After wine was spilt onto the altar, the smoke rose up above the top of the shrine and even unto the heavens as when Alexander the Great made a sacrifice upon the same altar”. This phrase comes from the book “Chronicles of the Roman Emperors” written by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus ages ago. It tells the story of a prophecy made at the request of Emperor Octavian, the father of Augustus, who later became Emperor of Rome. According to the chronicler Octavian was crossing the outlying parts of his empire and when he came upon the holy Mount of God Dionysus. He consulted the oracle about his son. The prophets told him his son was to rule the world.” This written proof has been mentioned by historians many times. Visitors can learn about this from the tour guides if they decide to follow the steep path. The whole trip lasts 1.5 hours. It must be done when the weather is good - at moderate temperatures and dry weather. Each step made in Perperikon reveals part of its boundless history. One can see zoom/travel there well-preserved rooms dating to the Thracian period. Most remarkable of all are the three floors of the religious complex, dedicated to God Dionysus. Well preserved stone benches and a staircase can be seen there. The stone throne hewn high up into the rocks can be seen at the place which is bathed in sunlight throughout the day. The sanctuary itself is on the last floor. It was here that the wine and fire rituals took place. It is 3 metres high and 2 metres wide. During the first excavations in the 1980’s the team led by renowned archeologist Ivan Balkanski found a stone sarcophagus weighing almost 2 tonnes. Despite its weight and size it was immediately lifted by a helicopter. It still remains a secret what was inside the sarcophagus and where it was transported. This will probably remain a mystery that will never come to light. Dozens of stone tubs were scattered across the whole region. These tubs were used for making wine, which was later used in the religious rituals. “In the bottom left-hand corner of this tub you can see a stone groove, through which the ritual liquid flowed out”, Milen Filipov explains. “We call these tubs “sharapans”. We do not know what the ancient Greeks called them. However, judging by their number and size we can tell that great quantities of wine were produced there. A huge number of well-preserved clay jars were found recently. The bigger ones were used to hold wheat and the small ones wine”, says Milen Filipov. During the pagan period of the Roman Empire this sanctuary was bustling with life. It belonged to the Thracian tribe Bessy, who were in alliance with the Romans. In 393-398, the Bessy people were converted. The sanctuary went out of use and was considered an obstacle to the propagation of the new religion. Later the sanctuary was covered with soil. Thus, 19thcentury researchers were done a great favour as the soil layer preserved the ritual building well. A temple of an early Christian type discovered recently was built at the end of the 4th century. Its ceramic altar was very well preserved. A replica of this altar can be seen in the local church grounds. The original alter is kept in the Regional Museum of History in the town of Kardzhali. People can see there many ancient objects from different periods, found in this region. “Perperikon is an incredible place with a amount of energy”, says Milen Filipov. “Many people talk about the energy of this place. I feel this energy myself”, says Milen Filipov. “Of course it can be felt by people with high sensitivity. Scientists are looking into the matter, as well. Some say that this place has a specific cosmic energy. Others that this is due to the high copper content in the rocks. This explains why so many religious ceremonies have taken place there over the centuries right up to the Ottoman invasion, when life in Perperikon died away”, Milen Filipov concluded. Zlatograd - Where Bulgaria begins by Veneta Nikolova Zlatograd has always been “the gateway to the wide world”. People here say this is where Bulgaria begins, and with good reason. A gentle breeze from the Aegean Sea reaches this small town on the country’s border with Greece. Through the ages Zlatograd has brought different cultures together and they have all left their imprint on local customs and lifestyle. Nowadays this beautiful part of the Rhodope Mountain enthralls travelers with its white houses with round chimneys and its Revival style atmosphere. Zlatograd is where the first post office in Bulgaria was built. The oldest church in the Rhodopes, built in 1834, the times of Ottoman domination rises in the centre of 20 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June the town’s historical part; the first monastery school in the entire region is also here, in Zlatograd. It was here again that at the time of the National Revival the first European innovations in technology and agriculture were applied. In the 19th century the people of Zlatograd were the first to leave their folk costumes behind and start wearing elegant city clothes, following European fashion to the minutest of details. In our day Zlatograd is once again a pioneer – this time of entrepreneurship and vision. Thanks to the initiative of a local businessman, at the turn of the 21st century the town’s old marketplace was born to a new life. Investing his own resources and with financing from European funds, the dilapidated old houses were restored and traditional craft workshops opened doors in their basements. That was how the only private so-called habitat ethnographic complex in the country came into being. The town, until then sunk in oblivion suddenly filled with tourists: “In 2001 we had but one hotel that could put up 10 tourists and almost no visitors. Now we have many hotels and guest houses and almost 90,000 visitors to the town every year,” says Alexander Mitoushev, the entrepreneur who undertook to renovate the complex and make the town a tourist attraction. The town was once called Belovidovo, the name being derived from the dazzling whiteness of its houses, perched on the rocky cliffs of the Rhodopes. If you take a stroll in the streets of its old part you will see it has lost none of its old-time charm. And the first thing that visitors notice are the rounded white chimneys. They invariably top the red tiled roofs; in winter a silvery strand of smoke rises up to the sky. Most of the houses here are more than 200 years old, they are made of stone, wood and adobe and some are still inhabited. Others have been turned into small hotels. Still others have workshops in their basements where latter-day master craftsmen bring to life the crafts of old, typical of this part of Bulgaria. Visitors can take a peek into the woodcarving, Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 21 zoom/travel pottery, cutlery or coppersmith workshops. If you drop by the local goldsmith you will see how belt-buckles, necklaces, bracelets are made using ancient technologies. In the weaving workshop visitors can see how the typical Rhodope fleecy rugs are made, and try out the loom; at the saddlemaker’s – how horse and donkey saddles, horse-collars and bridles are made. Some of the first sowing-machines imported in Bulgaria 150 years ago are on display at the tailor’s where you can buy hand- 22 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June made shirts, aprons or even entire Rhodope folk costumes. “We are always on the lookout for old folk costumes and we learn the trade from them,” says Marina Teritova, a master craftsman of braiding. “The typical Bulgarian braiding is applied instead of seams in clothing and also serves as decoration”, Marina Teritova goes on to say. ”The more braids a folk costume had, the wealthier its owner. Nowadays it is not easy to buy whole costumes with braiding, so we also make braid souvenirs. Like these flowers or these butterflies here, used as brooches or head ornaments.” If you take a walk in the ethnographic complex, enjoying the view of the magnificent Rhodope architecture you simply must pay a visit to the Old café, dating back to 1823. Since then, right down to our day, it offers a typical local specialty – coffee on sand. At the local taverns and restaurants guests can try delicious and healthy Rhodope dishes. While accommodation in the town and its environs is ample. Nonetheless, if you plan a visit in summer, you would be wise to book in advance, as in that season it is difficult to find vacancies. The same is true of the folklore festivals held regularly at Zlatograd’s ethnographic complex. At festival time hundreds of locals, dressed in folk costumes as well as tourists, cameras in hand, stream in the town’s narrow streets. Whether it is the Festival of Wine or of old-time city songs, a re-enactment of the Butterfly – an ancient rain ritual of the Balkan peoples – or the popular traditional barbecue, any celebration here lifts the spirits and invariably ends in a chain dance in the town square. In memoriam: Bulgarian opera basso Nicola Ghiuselev T he world of opera lost one more of its renowned singers. Bulgarian basso Nicola Giuselev passed away at the age of 77. Wenever think over the transience of human life, while listening to the renditions of Bulgarian opera stars We seem to have got accustomed to the talent and beautiful voice of Ghiuselev onstage, to his appearance… The Bulgarian fans of the late opera singer were aware of the dual nature of his artistry. He graduated the Academy of Arts as a painter, simultaneously with his opera singing lessons. Ghiuselev’s debut on stage was in 1961 at the Sofia Opera House as Timur in Puccini’s Turandot. That was the start of an illustrious career that took him to the most famous opera theatres across the globe. Ghiuselev received a string of awards, among them the Golden Verdi prize. Critics term him a great singer, a voice that paints pictures, a performer of the highest order. Rest in Peace, Maestro! Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 23 zoom/culture Cell phone application reveals Sofia’s historical mysteries by Veneta Nikolova S ofia’s historical secrets are now made visible by an application for iOS and Android. Those who own such a phone will be able to learn on the fly more about some of the most emblematic historical landmarks in the capital city, thanks to the Invisible Serdica application. It is absolutely free and gives users an opportunity to learn more about the hidden and most impressive historical and architectural landmarks in Sofia. Images, videos, 3D models and interesting stories and legends set it apart from the standard tourist guide. Users can find at this moment info on 6 key sites, the Saint Sofia Church and the Sofia Roman amphitheatre among them. The application was developed by the Student Computer 24 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June Art Society. Its goal is to reveal the sites in one of the oldest cities in Europe, remarkable with its unique historical heritage from different periods. It gives a chance to find more about the landmark and to picture what it looks like. Links to the national catalogue of the country’s academic libraries have been included too. The catalogue’s system contains books and different publications, devoted to a diversity of cultural and historical landmarks. Old books with unique data, engravings, images and graphics have been the source of most of the information. The application is available for downloading on Google play and App Store, as more info can be found on www.invisibleserdica.org. zoom/live Studio work kicks off for new Milcho Leviev project by Albena Bezovska I n 1970, Milcho Leviev emigrated from Bulgaria. At that time he was already a famous musician, with experience as soloist and conductor of the best Bulgarian orchestras, including a band he founded, Jazz Focus '65. He moved to live and work across the Atlantic at the invitation of Don Ellis. His work with the celebrated American jazz trumpet player and band leader did not sever his connections with Bulgaria, although it took him ten years before he could see his homeland again. He was the first Bulgarian jazz musician to have boldly experimented with local folk melodies and beats, and in the cradle of jazz at that. Leviev’s new project features the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band conducted by Antoni Donchev and the Cosmic Voices female choir. The folk group’s conductor Vanya Moneva says more:“The idea of Milcho Leviev to write a work for big band and choir was born ten years ago, but it was only now that the right moment came for it to be accomplished. The working title of the project that I have selected is A Journey to Two Worlds. And the maestro always adds, ‘Simultaneously!’ For the first part of the project he has selected Bulgarian folk songs, all with names of women in their titles – Vida, Radka, Grozdanka ... He has blended jazz themes with the folklore originals so expertly that the transition from one state to another is imperceptible. He has recreated the atmosphere of a simultaneous journey into two different cultural layers. We know he lived for many years in the U.S. without returning home. I think the first part of A Journey to Two Worlds reveals this longing, this strong bond with his roots. We now have to record the second part Milcho Leviev is still working on. It is based on Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and offers an innovative interpretation of the famous work. Once again we have seen what an amusing person Mr. Leviev actually is. Sometimes, while on the move, he changes the score, adding new things and eliminating other. He is emotional but at the same time puts much wisdom into everything he does. The way in which he makes music is different and this triggers creativity in all of us – the Big Band and the girls from the Cosmic Voices. Milcho Leviev is uncompromising where work is concerned. He is capable of abandoning even his own ideas. If one follows him in this process one will soon see that his logic is infallible. It is an amazing experience to work with such an artist - unconventional, brimming with ideas at any given moment. ” In about a month from now, the musicians are going to record the second part of The Journey and the album will be released in the autumn. The new project will be presented with several concerts in the country. Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 25 zoom/culture Painter Gredi Assa – crossing the desert of beauty by Veneta Pavlova There is no doubt that the exhibition of works by Prof. Gredi Assa which recently opened at the Sofia Art Gallery is a pivotal event in the world of painting for 2014. His talent takes us to a realm of vivid vision, his concern to preserve the beauty of our planet is striking. His 49 large canvases are a testimony to the homage he pays to nature and to art. 26 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June Gredi Assa has had dozens of exhibitions in this country and abroad and has specialized in Paris and New York. The exposition marks the artist’s jubilee – he recently turned 60. And its metaphorical title – Crossing the desert – is a blend of his knowledge, his bitterness, his hope and wisdom. “What I mean is the desert inside us and the desert around, the desert in the everyday lives we lead. The things that surround us, the things we cannot evade but have to face head on and continue on our way. In the desert we find the answer to many of our questions. There you will find everything – wind, dreams and mirages – all you have to do is make your choice”, says Gredi Assa for Radio Bulgaria. What is the choice he has made? “I choose mirages”, the painter admits. “The fact that you can see them, that you can recognize them for what they are – a starting point - and that is the idea, the goal. This forms part of an artist’s inspiration, experience, imagination. Because you can only see a mirage if you really want to. That is when you will see the oasis as a haven.” The artist has many poetic words to say about the desert and its endlessness, a place where he feels he is a discoverer of unexpected beauty. But also of “surmounting” four decades of painting, of his outlook on life throughout that time. And this is also an allusion to the bible – the 40 years it took Moses to take his people to the Promised Land. The desert’s innumerable dunes have made Gredi Assa feel like a speck of sand, but “a speck with its own inner world, a world of freedom, hope and inspiration.” The exhibition features different genres, including portraits. One of them is a portrait of renowned Bulgarian film director Dimitar Gochev who worked in Germany for many years and who passed away a few months ago. “We were friends and he collected my works, so we have talked about modern art a great deal”, the artist goes on to say. “He would inspire me with faith and strength and that is why I have included his portrait in the exposition. I am displaying portraits of people I have felt close to or people who have made me feel good.” Vanishing beauty, concern for the Maldives or for Venice are things Gredi Assa cares about. “The Maldives are disappearing, as is Venice, the diversity of nature is melting away”, he says. “We might well be the reason why this is happening and I have made a note of it in my pictures. Venice is an incredible place not just for actors or painters, it has a power of attraction for all kinds of art, for architecture. There is food for the soul – it is not something I can define right now – but I very much hope the visitors to the exhibition will see that wherever man may find himself, he must look upon his own life cheerfully, with more optimism. ” What would Gredi Assa like to wish his students? “I very much hope that my students will choose their own, unique path in life. That they will not skip over from one thing to another but will follow their road with serenity. Because that is what will take them to finer goals. And one other thing – that they will not be artists of momentary sensations, of the things that come and go. That they will see the small things, the dandelion under their feet, the blue skies, the mountain. That they will distinguish between different moods and integrate them in their works to get a feel of life as it is – the life of an artist.” Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 27 zoom/sport Match between Levski and Barcelona in the quarterfinals for the UEFA Cup, 1976 / Photo: BTA Levski FC turns 100 T here are ancient crafts in Bulgaria and traditions that are kept by few masters and passed from one generation to another. There are also generations of artists, doctors, lawyers, but one of the most popular traditions is the esteem for the football club of Levski. The hereditary Levski fans in Bulgaria are tens of thousands; some of them are fifthgeneration Levski fans. This explains why the club that celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014 is known as the “team of the people.” This title is well-deserved as a recent UEFA poll showed that 31 percent of the football fans in Bulgaria are of Levski. This places the Bulgarian team 7-8th in Europe alongside Juventus. It all started in 1911 when a group of students from Sofia got together to play football. They were initially called “The Sixth Club” as there were 5 other football clubs in Sofia at that time. These were Football Club, Club Football, Botev, Rakovski and Razvitie. Unfortunately, the plans to register the new club failed when 28 ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June the Balkan Wars broke out. However on May 24th, 1914 the dream of the young people came true and a football club bearing the name of the Bulgaria Apostle of Freedom - Vasil Levski, was set up. Since its creation, Levski has won 73 titles, which is a record for Bulgaria – 26 Bulgarian Championship titles, 26 national cups, 3 Bulgarian Supercups, 11 titles from the Sofia Championship, 3 Cups of the Soviet Army, 4 Ulpia Serdica Cups. Initially the colors of the team were yellow-red shirts and black shorts. Later, blue became the colour of the club. Levski won its first champion’s title in 1933 after a 3:1 victory versus Shipchenski Sokol (Varna). The latest success of the blue team was five years ago when, in 2009, Levski became champions of Bulgaria. Undoubtedly, the most successful period in the history of the team is the first decade of the 21st century when Levski won 6 champion’s titles and 5 Bulgaria Cups. Even though Levski is one of the most successful Bulgarian teams, it has a number by Wilhem Baltagian of losses against teams with a much more modest football reputation. Among them are little-known teams from Finland, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kazakhstan. Most memorable, however, remain Levski's victories against Ajax, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Olympique de Marseille, Sporting, Lazio and Udinese. Levski has managed to reach the quarter finals of the Cup Winners' Cup three times, of the UEFA Cup once and the Europa League once. In 2007, Levski became the only Bulgarian team to reach the group stage of the Champions League. In the most popular tournament of the past - the European Champions Cup, Levski have reached the 1/8 finals three times. During the year of its centennial anniversary, Levski has showed poor performance. The team placed 5th in the football championship of the country and for the first time since 1990 it will not take part in the European club tournaments. The main event that marked the 100th anniversary of the most popular football club in Bulgaria was the friendly match between Levski and Lazio at the Vasil Levski National Stadium on May 23rd. The anniversary was also marked also by a festive concert and publishing of a book about the 100th anniversary of the team. A movie about the club was also shown to the fans. The sports section of the Bulgarian National Radio also made a unique contribution to these celebrations. The sports department of the BNR made a special gift to the management of Levski - the first original photograph of the club. An original stamp that reads “Sports Football Club Levski Sofia 1914” can be seen on the 100-yearold photo. The unique photograph used to be kept as a relic in the sports department in the BNR. Issue June/ ZOOM Bulgaria magazine 29 zoom/calendar What’s on in June June 01-12, Varna Varna Summer International Theatre Festival June 21-29, Rhodope Mountains, Municipality of Smolyan Wild Flower Festival June 6-8, Kazanlak Rose Festival June 21-30, Sofia Sofia Design Week June 07- 11, Pomorie International Festival of Orthodox Christian Music June 22-30, Perperikon, Kardzhali Perperikon International Festival of Arts June 10-20, Plovdiv 50th International Festival of Chamber Music June 22, Sofia, Mount Vitosha Vitosha Tour – 100 км June 11-15, Pavel Banya Festival of the Rose and Mineral Water June 12-15, Sofia Big Beer Festival, Southern Park June 15, Momtchilgrad Night of Orpheus Traditional Festival June 17 – July 20, Plovdiv Opera Open Summer Music Festival, Ancient Roman Theater June 20-25, Sofia Water Tower Art Festival June 20- 22, Troyan Rock Music Academy & Beer Festival 30 June 23, Etara, Gabrovo Enyovden (Midsummer Day) at Etara June 23-29, Plovdiv CraftsWeek at the Museum of Ethnography June 27-29, Kavarna Kavarna Rock Music Festival June 27-28, Kyustendil Cherry Festival June 27-30, Borovets Borovets Bike Park Open Cup – an international downhill mountain bike race June 28, Tran Yoghurt Festival June 21, Rousse Rousse Masquerade June 29-30, Asenovgrad Asenovgrad, an Adventure Town – festival of extreme sports June 21, Sofia Holi Festival of Colour, Akademik Stadium June 29, Gradina Campsite, Sozopol Sozopol July Morning Festival ZOOM Bulgaria magazine/Issue June Information and reservations: