site.btaWorld-famous Conductor Emil Tabakov Can't Imagine Ruse and Bulgaria without March Music Days Festival

Being born in Ruse, world-famous conductor Emil Tabakov can’t imagine his home town and Bulgaria without the March Music Days Festival. “I studied music in Ruse. I heard the greatest orchestras there. I have attended all editions of March Music Days, both in the audience and as a performer. It is one of the most important festivals, that has held up its positions, despite the hardships,” he said in a BTA interview.

The 61st edition of the festival opened on March 11 with a concert of the Ruse Philharmonic under the Baton of Emil Tabakov and Simon Trpcheski of North Macedonia on the piano.

He remembers how storefront windows on the Ruse main streets used to be covered with the photos of the performers in March Music Days. “It was advertised all over the place. Now more attention is paid to what is popular and what has a bigger audience. What is of real value, is more important and can really teach people to appreciate culture, gets less attention,” the maestro says.

He is adamant that the universal language of classical music can help restore normalcy. “Music survived through the biggest ordeals. It has always been here. It brings people together across the divides.”

He believes it essential that there always be events like March Music Days.

“One should listen to classical music. I have met people who had never listened to classical music and then went to one concert and became admirers. People should be given an opportunity to hear classical music, to get to know it because one needs to get their ear prepared for it,” says the conductor.

He says that the government should pursue a policy for encouraging people’s interest in classical music and that must start with the young generations.

In the present day, a real artist is one who cares for art. “A real artist knows what their calling is: to create, even when there is no one to pay them to play or to compose a symphony or a concert”.

March Music Days is on until March 27. It will bring to the stage over 600 performers from Bulgaria and other countries, seven orchestral programs, 11 ensemble concerts, an opera performance and two exhibitions. The festival is organized by the Ruse City Hall with the support of the Culture Ministry. BTA is among the media partners.