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A new tradition is set to be launched at the initiative of Sonya Yoncheva, who in recent years has also been active as a producer and publisher. The project aims to promote Bulgarian culture worldwide and to attract international stars to local audiences.

On June 23, at the Ancient Theatre of Plovdiv – the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe and the only Bulgarian European Capital of Culture to date – a glamorous awards ceremony and an elegant gala concert featuring the laureates of the inaugural “Thracian Awards for Classical Music” will take place. Sonya Yoncheva’s intention is to promote the region of Thrace as a cradle of civilization, historical memory, traditions, and future development.

“Across the world, much is known and spoken about the cultural heritage of the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. Yet, not enough recognition is given to the Thracians – I want to change that. Some of our laureates have Thracian roots. The mythical bard Orpheus is also a prominent example for that. Plovdiv has been a hub for artists of various disciplines for centuries. I want to showcase the charisma of this special place to the world, while also giving local audiences the chance to encounter some of the brightest stars of both the national and global stage,” Yoncheva shares.

She also personally announced the laureates of the first edition of the “Thracian Classical Music Awards”:

• Debut of the Year – Ekaterine Buachidze, Georgian mezzo-soprano, winner of Operalia 2025, held for the first time in Bulgaria;
• Young Artist of the Year – Emanuil Ivanov, Bulgarian virtuoso pianist with international recognition;
• Soloist (Musician) of the Year – Pacho Flores, renowned Venezuelan trumpeter;
• Ballet Artist of the Year – Marta Petkova, Bulgarian prima ballerina with an international career, artistic director of the ballet company of the Sofia Opera and Ballet;
• Female Singer of the Year – Gabriela Georgieva, prima donna of the Sofia Opera, known for her dramatic repertoire;
• Male Singer of the Year – Jakub Józef Orliński, Polish countertenor of global acclaim, distinguished in Baroque repertoire and contemporary style;
• Director of the Year – Vera Nemirova, Bulgarian opera director with an international career, particularly renowned for her productions in Germany and across Europe;
• Composer of the Year – Dobrinka Tabakova, Bulgarian composer of international acclaim, especially recognized for her works in the UK and across Europe;
• Production of the Year Award – The Wagner Festival of the Sofia Opera, directed by Acad. Plamen Kartaloff, a unique phenomenon in Eastern Europe;
• Opera House of the Year Award – Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich;
• Lifetime Achievement Award in Classical Music – Anna Tomowa-Sintow, legendary Bulgarian opera star of global stature, on the eve of her 85th birthday.

Sonya Yoncheva herself will also take part in the ceremony and gala concert, returning to her hometown for this very special occasion.
“I established these awards to encourage young talents as well as to honor deeply respected luminaries in classical music. My goal is to build bridges between artists, projects, and institutions, as well as between the Bulgarian and the international scene. I selected the laureates based on this key factor – that they serve as a link between the traditions of our region, a cradle of ancient culture and civilization, and play an active role in promoting the arts internationally. These are artists who often redefine the canon and leave a lasting mark of their own,” Yoncheva adds.

Audiences at the gala concert will enjoy performances by all attending laureates. The program will include beloved works from the operatic and classical repertoire, as well as world premieres. The “Thracian Awards for Classical Music” are expected to become an annual event. Their first edition will mark the opening of the 13th Opera Open festival. The gala concert will be conducted by the director of State Opera Plovdiv, Maestro Dian Tchobanov, with all performances accompanied by the orchestra of the opera in „the city of the seven hills”.

“For Opera Plovdiv, it is a true honor to stand alongside Sonya Yoncheva – our fellow citizen who has conquered the world’s greatest stages. When an artist of such stature remembers their roots and invests their authority in their hometown, it is an inspiration to all of us. I believe that with this ceremony we are not only opening the 13th edition of the festival in a brilliant way, but also further establishing it as an international platform where Bulgarian and global artists meet at the highest level,” said Maestro Tchobanov.

Tickets are available through the Eventim network and at the Opera Plovdiv box office at the Boris Christoff House of Culture. Early buyers can take advantage of a special online promotion valid until the end of the Easter holidays – 30% discount on tickets for all Opera Open events, including the “Thracian Awards for Classical Music,” with promo code SPRING at the following link:
https://bit.ly/4l115pm
The full Opera Open festival program is available on the State Opera Plovdiv website.