This year, the prestigious "Apollon Toxophoros" award was presented to virtuoso violinist Svetlin Roussev. In presenting the prize, Margarita Dimitrova, Executive Director of the Apollonia Foundation, expressed her appreciation for the musician. She emphasized that he is deserving of this high recognition, as he tirelessly promotes Bulgaria around the world through his active concert career.
"I am extremely touched, even more grateful, appreciative, and above all, happy," shared Svetlin Roussev upon accepting the statuette. The award ceremony preceded this year's "Concertmasters of Apollonia" concert, held at the amphitheater in Sozopol—an event that has been held for the third consecutive year on this specific date.
The festival initiative brings together distinguished concertmasters and soloists from leading orchestras in the country and abroad, showcasing musicians who work both in Bulgaria and in various places across Europe and the world. Margarita Dimitrova could not hide her excitement about the latest edition of the concert as she introduced the participants, including:
- Svetlin Roussev – violin, concertmaster of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra;
- Nikolay Mitsev – violin, concertmaster of the Opera and Symphony Orchestra in Wuppertal;
- Stoimen Peev – violin, concertmaster of the "Sofia Soloists" chamber ensemble;
- Varya Dervenska – violin, concertmaster of the Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra;
- Kalina Hristova – violin, concertmaster of the Sofia Philharmonic;
- Galina Koycheva – violin, concertmaster of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra;
- Gergana Gergova – violin, concertmaster of the Teatro Real Orchestra in Madrid;
- Slava Atanasova – violin, concertmaster of the Sofia National Opera orchestra;
- Rumen Tsvetkov – viola, director of the "Merci Art" festival in Madrid;
- Stefania Yankova – first viola of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra;
- Alexander Somov – cello, soloist and concertmaster at the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra;
- Marina Hinova – cello, musician in the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra;
- Dimitar Ivanov – double bass, concertmaster in the Sofia National Opera orchestra.
The evening's program was filled with classical masterpieces. It included Samuel Barber's "Adagio," performed in memory of cellist Ivan Lalev, the Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Orchestra in D minor by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, as well as the "Serenade" for string orchestra in E minor, Op. 20, by Edward Elgar. Svetlin Roussev and pianist Ludmil Angelov performed as soloists.
Margarita Dimitrova described Ludmil Angelov as an exceptional pianist for whom there is likely no corner of the world where he has not performed with the greatest world orchestras and under the baton of the most prominent world conductors. She recalled that Angelov was the very first recipient of the "Apollon Toxophoros" award in 1999. Since then, the distinction has been awarded annually to artists who have made significant contributions to the promotion of Bulgarian culture both at home and abroad.
The "Apollonia" Arts Festival has a long history, dating back to 1984. It is organized by the Apollonia Foundation, established in 1991. Every year, the festival attracts hundreds of artists and thousands of art lovers from Bulgaria and around the world, aiming to preserve traditions and support new talent. This year's edition includes over 70 events in the fields of music, theater, literature, cinema, and fine arts. BTA is a media partner of the event.