Burgas, Bulgaria - The "Jazz in Burgas" festival, celebrating 11 years in the city's cultural calendar, has established itself as a center of attraction for lovers of live music. This was shared by the artistic director and co-founder of the event, Margarita Dimova-Manova, during a press conference at the National Press Club of BTA in Burgas. The occasion was the presentation of the new edition of the LIK "Bulgaria in Jazz" magazine.
According to Dimova-Manova, the festival started in "2014" as a bold initiative and gradually turned into a vibrant environment for jazz music in the city. It was born from the desire to have a permanent stage for live music, and not just single performances during the summer months. "It started from a personal need not to listen to jazz only at individual performances and guest appearances of musicians during the summer months in the region, but to have a permanent stage in the city, which would gather and enrich the local audience with an affinity for this genre. From there, the festival was born", she explained.
From the first improvised editions to the current format in the "Flora" Exhibition Center, the path of the event, which takes place over several days in July and August, has been marked by challenges, but the constant interest from the public is encouraging. "We have a core audience that does not give up - and we are adding young people to it. I believe that this is the most important proof that the festival makes sense", Dimova-Manova emphasized.
The founders, including Marusya Ruseva, have the ambition to take the next step. "It's time to surpass what has been achieved. The audience expects us to invite bigger names - at least one "star" per edition. This requires stronger resources and longer planning", she added.
Dimova-Manova also emphasized the importance of promoting jazz as a genre that is accessible to everyone, rejecting the labels of "elite art". She emphasized the breadth and multi-layered nature of jazz, which allows everyone to touch it. "It is important to cultivate taste, especially in the younger ones. That is the sustainable future", she believes.
In this regard, she pointed out the key role of the National School of Musical and Performing Arts (NUMSI) "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" in Burgas, in which the different musical specialties, especially "Pop and Jazz Singing", create a favorable environment for the development of young talents. "For years we have been inviting young talents to participate in the festival - sometimes as guest vocalists in joint projects, but also with solo concerts. In the last edition, such was the concert of Maria Vandeva from the class of Mihaela Tenev - Michel, accompanied by a grand piano", Dimova-Manova recalled.
The festival owes its success to institutional support, including from the Municipality of Burgas, which ensures financial stability. "The Municipality of Burgas fully finances the event - this is crucial for sustainability", she said. The long-term supporter of the festival from the municipal structure is Dimitar Madzharov, who from 2025 will take the position of director of NUMSI "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov"."This continuity is important - I believe that as director of the school he will continue to support the festival", Dimova-Manova said.
For 11 years on the stage of "Jazz in Burgas", some of the most famous names on the Bulgarian jazz scene have performed, including Hilda Kazasyan, Vasil Petrov, Mihail Yosifov, Ventsi Blagoev, Alexander Deyanov-Skiller, Zhivko Petrov, Mitko Karamfilov, Ruth Koleva, as well as many other contemporary formations. International guests are from Italy, Germany, Spain, Scotland, USA and Australia.
The air in the hall is filled with anticipation. Dimova-Manova is categorical that in order to raise the level of the festival, more significant financial resources and earlier inclusion in international tour routes are needed. "The curiosity towards international names is great. Right here, in order to raise the level, a more serious financial framework and earlier inclusion in international tour routes is needed - the big artists plan years in advance", she said, adding that the development of concert halls with good acoustics, the club network and long-term partnerships will lead to quick results.
Despite the lack of long jazz traditions, Burgas remains a source of talent, she shared. "Many gifted children are born here. It is important to give them a stage and perspective, so that we do not lose them on the way to other cities", Dimova-Manova pointed out. In conclusion, "Jazz in Burgas" is more than a festival – it is a bridge between the school and the professional stage, between the curiosity of the audience and the mastery of the performers. The future of the event foresees the inclusion of workshops, master classes and discussions that will maintain interest in jazz.