BNR musicians halt concerts in protest over low pay

Music ensembles of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) have halted their concert activity from Friday in protest over what they say is inadequate pay.

Musicians hope a solution can be found with the help of the Ministry of Culture, said Dimitar Hristov, conductor of the BNR Folk Music Orchestra.

'The monthly salary of a newly hired young musician is about 650 euros. The gap in pay between us and other cultural institutions in the capital is huge,” Hristov said.

• The average salary in Sofia is €1,914

He added that Culture Minister Nayden Todorov had pledged to seek a solution.

BNR’s ensembles include a Folk Music Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Big Band and Mixed Choir. The ensembles are among the country’s most recognisable musical formations and have long promoted Bulgarian music at home and abroad through concerts, recordings and performances.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova