site.btaRadio Journalist Tsveti Radeva Receives Sirak Skitnik Grand Prize for 2024

Tsveti Radeva from the Horizont programme of the Bulgarian National Radio is the recipient of the 2024 Sirak Skitnik Grand Prize. It was presented to her by Vice President Iliana Iotova in the First Studio of the Bulgarian National Radio at a ceremony dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the public broadcaster. 

The Sirak Skitnik Grand Prize recognizes journalists for their significant contribution to the development of the Bulgarian National Radio. Outstanding artist, poet and critic Sirak Skitnik (the artistic pseudonym of Panayot Todorov) was appointed as the first director of Radio Sofia in June, 1935:

Tsveti Radeva is an ethnomusicologist and journalist, and a host of a number of folklore programmes.

The award was traditionally presented by Vice President Iliana Iotova, who congratulated the national radio on its 90th anniversary.

"For me you have always been a unit of measure of professionalism. My older colleagues at the Bulgarian National Television used to tell us to listen to the radio to learn journalism. When you say 'the radio', there is only one radio: the Bulgarian National Radio. And this is no accident. You are all creating a huge spiritual empire, and I thank you for that. Radio is our companion. That means we trust you. You also find music for every taste, from the classics to authentic folk. When radio was born, Sirak Skitnik had folk performers come here the night before, dress early in the morning and perform the pieces, straight to the microphone. I really wish we had that attitude to folklore these days. Today's award winner has that respect for folklore. One of the sweetest journalists, authors and organizers on radio - Tsveti Radeva," said Vice President Iotova.

Radeva thanked for the recognition she received for traditional Bulgarian culture. "It is psychology, lifestyle and spirituality, umbilical cord, flesh and blood. This music builds a huge network all over the world - from the world's megacities to the smallest villages. This connection through Bulgarian folklore links two million Bulgarians abroad to their roots. These listeners continue to convince us of the radio's public mission," said Radeva.

Over the years, recipients of the Sirak Skitnik Grand Prize included Bozhana Dimitrova, Martin Minkov, Toma Sprostranov, Vili Kazasyan, Hristo Nedyalkov, Valeri Petrov. The winners in the three categories are selected by BNR’s Public Council.

The videocast "Speak..." of the Digital Programmes Directorate took the award in the category for radio broadcast, radio project, music project or multimedia project.

Georgi Yanakiev from Radio Burgas received the award in the category for radio journalism.

Svetoslav Ivanov from bTV received the award for professionalism on air.

BNR correspondent in Varna Daniela Stoynova received the Golden Voice Award of the Nadezhda Dzheneva Foundation.

A special guest at the ceremony was the Director General of the European Broadcasting Union, Noel Curran. Also attending were Bulgarian News Agency Director General Kiril Valchev, the BTA's LIK magazine editor-in-chief. Georgi Lozanov, members of the Council for Electronic Media, representatives of the Management Boards of BNR and BNT, Chief Operating Officer of bTV Media Group Gospodin Yovchev, journalists from various media.

BNR’s anniversary will be celebrated with a gala concert later on Saturday evening at the Sofia Opera and Ballet with the participation of all the musical ensembles of the Bulgarian National Radio and with Bulgarian music of different genres.

Before presenting the awards to journalists, Vice President Iliana Iotova congratulated BNR and its Director General Milen Mitev.