site.btaFirst Kamdzhalov Festival to Be Held in the Valley of Roses

The inaugural Kamdzhalov Festival will take place on July 4, 5, and 6 at the Damascena Ethnographic Complex near the village of Skobelevo in central Bulgaria. The event is organized by the Yordan Kamdzhalov Foundation in partnership with the host complex.

Renowned Bulgarian conductor Yordan Kamdzhalov serves as the festival’s chief conductor and artistic director. The opening night will feature musicians from Genesis Orchestra, with performances by soloists Zornitsa Ilarionova, Simona Stanoeva, Marina Marinova, and Victoria Rizov from the folk vocal formation IDNA. Kamdzhalov himself will conduct the concert on the outdoor stage of the complex.

On July 5, the festival will include a performance by the Choir of the Musical Laboratory for the Human, conducted by Maya Vasileva. One of Bulgaria’s largest mixed choirs, it brings together individuals with exceptional vocal and artistic talent, united by a passion for classical masterpieces. Also performing will be the “Smiling Stars” Children’s Choir from Sofia.

The audience will also experience “Bulgaria Sings”, a participatory format inviting people of all backgrounds - regardless of age, education, gender, religion, profession, or musical training - to become co-creators in an open musical celebration, typically held at culturally and historically significant locations.

Special guests include the acclaimed physics teacher Teodosiy Teodosiev from Kazanlak. Famed for his unconventional yet highly effective teaching methods, his students consistently win medals at international physics Olympiads. A public conversation with him is scheduled for July 4. On July 5, attendees will also have the opportunity to meet and talk with Yordan Kamdzhalov.

The festival will conclude on July 6 with a workshop led by Maestro Kamdzhalov and other special guests.