Bulgarian National Radio's music ensembles will receive additional funding

The Bulgarian Ministry of Finance and the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) have agreed on an additional transfer of funds to the public broadcaster. The funding is earmarked for increasing the salaries of musicians in the BNR’s music ensembles, effective October 1, 2026.

The decision came after on September 17 violinist Iva Djadjeva from the BNR Symphony Orchestra declared readiness to go on a hunger strike over the inadequate and undigified payment of musicians of the orchestra.

BNR orchestra violinist announces hunger strike over low pay

BNR Symphony orchestra conductor Konstantin Ilievsky: We are fighting to survive

“This funding is a first step towards finding a lasting solution to a decade-long and escalating problem,” BNR Director General Milen Mitev said, adding: “The Bulgarian National Radio is a first-level spending unit, but the Ministry of Culture has been actively assisting in the search for workable solutions. We are grateful for the understanding we have received from the Ministry of Finance in these challenging times.”

Work is continuing to find a sustainable legislative solution that would establish the music ensembles and their activities in law, thereby safeguarding their future and ensuring adequate funding.

“Together with the state institutions, we are moving towards a solution to a longstanding problem that must not be allowed to threaten the livelihoods, health and dignity of our musicians,” the BNR Director General concluded.

The Bulgarian National Radio has six music ensembles - the BNR Symphony Orchestra (founded in 1948), the BNR Folk Music Orchestra (founded in 1952 as part of what was then the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Song Ensemble), the BNR Mixed Choir (1952), the BNR Big Band (formed in 1960) and two children's groups: the BNR Children's Choir (1960) and the Radiokids Vocal Group (1990).

Edited by Nikoleta Elenkova (BNR Horizon channel), Rositsa Petkova