Joyful welcome of 2026 with music from Bulgaria!

In the final moments of the passing year, time seems to stand still for a moment. The reflections of the past remain behind us, while our eyes are set on what lies ahead— a new beginning. We bid farewell to 2025—a challenging year full of dramatic events, but also a year that reminded us of the value of faith, humanity and hope.

On the threshold of 2026, following an old tradition, we gather with family and friends to welcome the new beginning with wishes for peace and better days. For every Bulgarian—at home and abroad—December 31 is a day of joy and anticipation of well-being, prosperity, and happier, calmer moments. We extend these wishes to you, accompanied by the festive Bulgarian music typical of the day.

For decades, the Northern Bulgarian pravo horo (straight horo), composed by Diko Iliev in the spring of 1937, has been the soundtrack to Bulgarians’ New Year’s celebrations. That is why we begin this special concert with the famous “Dunavsko Horo” (Danube Horo) —a musical symbol of hope, unity and new beginnings.

The festive winter mood continues with a beautiful Bulgarian children’s song, which has even appeared in Japanese music textbooks. “Over the Silent Fields” features lyrics by Dimitar Spasov and music by the unforgettable Hristo Nedyalkov—the founder and conductor of the Bulgarian National Radio Children’s Choir for more than half a century. The song brings joy, ringing bells, liveliness, games, and fast sled rides—a true winter fairy tale.

On the eve of January 1, many Bulgarians celebrate with the New Year’s programs of the Bulgarian National Television. One of these—broadcast on the night of December 31, 1971—remains unforgettable thanks to the participation of a musical legend. The television show welcoming 1972 featured the exceptionally talented 25-year-old Bulgarian singer Pasha Hristova. Perhaps the most memorable performance was “White Song” by poet Petar Karaangov and composer Dimitar Valchev, whose hit “A Bulgarian Rose” made Pasha Hristova a national icon. “White Song” later won the Melody of the Year television contest in 1972.

The end of each year is a time for reflection, and in 2025 the team at Radio Bulgaria once again sought to introduce you to established Bulgarian musicians who have built impressive careers around the world. What unites them is their deep love for their homeland. For them, Bulgaria remains home, a memory and a source of inspiration.

“Home! This is my home – it always has been and always will be”, says violinist Boris Tonkov. 

Pianist IvanYanakov shares: “Regardless of how much people complain, Bulgaria offers many good conditions for a decent life. We just need to finish building our house ourselves … and gradually create a happier society.”

Opera diva Iordanka Derilova calls Bulgaria her ‘home’, the place where its people are and the place where the air belongs to us.

For pianist Donka Angatscheva, Bulgaria is a country with an ''incredible cultural history and wonderful music that must be heard.'' 

Violinist Devorina Gamalova associates Bulgaria with ''its beautiful, magnificent nature and the warm people that abound in our land.”

ConductorPavel Baleff describes his homeland as an ''unceasing, aching love—a pain I could not do without.''

Pianist Rossitza Banova thinks of Bulgaria with hope and faith in a better future, while violinist Svetlin Roussev shares that he would like to return one day—“I have secret plans for… Bulgaria!”, says Svetlin Roussev. For him, our country is first and foremost a homeland, but also “tradition, history, folklore, culinary art, nature… This country has been given so much, even though it is small, with a modest population and fewer resources than other countries, yet we simply don’t realize it. We should be grateful every single day…”, Svetlin Roussev added.

For violinist Blagomira Lipari, Bulgaria is “warmth,” culture and emotion, all of which she pours into her music with her whole heart. Composer Penka Kouneva adds: “I am thinking about Bulgaria all the time. It is very important that this sense of being Bulgarian lives strongly within me”.

With her piece “Earth” from the album “The Woman Astronaut”, we extend wishes for peace, calm and prosperity—both for our homeland and for the entire planet.

As tradition dictates, we conclude our New Year’s musical concert with one of the most cherished Orthodox chants -“Mnogaya Leta.”

Mnogaya Leta—part of the Orthodox service, used to wish long life and well-being—is most familiar in Bulgaria with music by the Russian composer Dmitry Bortniansky and performed by the legendary Bulgarian basso Boris Christoff, together with the choir of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia. Recorded in the autumn of 1976, this chant continues to be performed in the first minutes of every New Year.

Dear friends of Radio Bulgaria, we wish you long life, happiness and a prosperous year! In 2026, we will continue to bring you the latest news from the country, as well as stories about culture, history, and the personalities who shape Bulgaria and Bulgarian life today.

Written by: Tsvetana Toncheva and Elena Karkalanova
Musical arrangement: Tsvetana Toncheva

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov