Sirak Skitnik Grand Prize is the new jewel in the crown of BNR Children’s Choir

“The BNR Children’s Choir is a family!” - this is how the angel-voiced children from the most recognizable ensemble of the Bulgarian National Radio describe the institution that has brought fame to the media outlet and to this country around the world. For 65 years now, the Children’s Radio Choir has been winning hearts on world stages, showcasing the very best of Bulgaria - music, culture, beauty, and talent. For the tireless work, the countless songs learned, concerts, and recordings, the choir’s team was awarded the Grand Prize “Sirak Skitnik” 2025 for a significant contribution to the development of the Bulgarian National Radio. The award was presented by President Iliana Iotova at a ceremonial event in BNR’s First Studio, marking the media institution’s 91st anniversary.

“The voices of the Radio measure time, our lives… With the high standards set by the professionals at the Bulgarian National Radio, they give us security in an insecure world, they give us confidence that what we hear is the truth,” said Iliana Iotova in her address to the guests and the audience of Bulgaria’s public radio.

The Bulgarian National Radio is not just a media outlet; it is a true cultural institution, and proof of this is precisely the Children’s Radio Choir, the Bulgarian head of state noted:

“The fame of this choir far exceeds the borders of Bulgaria. And as many researchers say, this choir is an ambassador not only of Bulgarian culture in Europe, but also an ambassador of the entire centuries-old European culture. Be healthy, develop your talent, and continue to spread the glory of our beloved homeland!” Iotova wished the gifted choristers.

On behalf of the entire ensemble, the award was received by Maestra Venetsia Karamanova, who has been the choir’s Chief Conductor for 12 years:

“The Children’s Radio Choir was founded at the proposal of BNR’s management in 1960, and for decades the Bulgarian song has been flying with the voices of these wonderful children across four continents, spreading the glory of Bulgarian songs, and everywhere we are received warmly, with respect,” Ms. Karamanova recalled in her words of gratitude, not hiding that this award is a long-awaited recognition.

“Sirak Skitnik is a dream for us, because it comes from the institution in whose name and for whose name we work. I extend endless gratitude for the incredible support we receive from the BNR. I want to dedicate this award to the founder and long-time conductor of the choir, Hristo Nedyalkov, who left his heart here. With deep gratitude to all the professionals who have left their mark on our creative path. I also thank the families who send us their children and support us in our creative pursuits. But the greatest gratitude goes to these children - they give their angel-voiced childhood, they give their talent, will, work, and time, and they make the choir one of the most recognizable ensembles of Bulgaria abroad and one of the emblems of the Bulgarian National Radio.”

BNR Children’s Radio Choir with a surprise for audiences on its 65th birthday

“We are very ambitious children with very ambitious leaders. Our dreams are endless, and the higher the goal we set for ourselves, the more we achieve,” shared with Radio Bulgaria Neli Pavlova, holding the exquisite statuette of the “Sirak Skitnik” award, created by sculptor Vezhdi Rashidov.

“This is already my eleventh year singing here - I joined in first grade, now I’m in 11th grade, and this is my greatest pleasure - I adore going to rehearsals. We have many plans at the moment; we are expecting future trips abroad again as ambassadors of Bulgarian culture. We have met with compatriots abroad, visiting Bulgarian embassies. This brings us immense satisfaction, joy, happiness - nothing but positive feelings and emotions.”

BNR Children's Choir competes for the Silver Rose Grand Prix

And here are the journalists honored for their contribution to the development of BNR as a public media - and not only that:

The National Folk Song Competition “Slaveyche” (Nightingale) of BNR Stara Zagora received the collective Award for a radio program, radio project, music project, or multimedia project of BNR for professionalism and original ideas in 2025.

Gergana Hrischeva, author of the health podcast “At the Center of the System” is the recipient of the individual Award for Radio Journalism for a distinctive presence behind the microphone and for defending ideas and positions that strengthen the authority of the Bulgarian National Radio as a public media outlet in 2025.

BNT television host Boyko Vassilev is the new holder of the Award for Professionalism on the Air, with which BNR honors a journalist from another Bulgarian electronic media.

The “Golden Voice” Award of the Nadezhda Dzheneva Foundation, established by Kevork Kevorkyan in memory of his wife for achievements in radio creativity, was awarded to the team of BNR's Horizont national information channel.

Read also:

Radio Bulgaria – with three nominations for the annual BNR awards

Bulgarian National Radio celebrates its 91st anniversary

English version: R. Petkova