Every year in June, the Theotokos, It is truly meet International Festival of Orthodox Music brings together Orthodox Christians from dozens of countries in the Bulgarian Black Sea town of Pomorie. Twenty three choirs from Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Macedonia and Bulgaria are taking part in this year’s 11^th edition of the festival (11 -15 June). More about its programme from its music director Yordanka Toudjarova:

“As always, there will be a meeting of conductors, organized by Father Kiril Popov on the subject of: “The role of choral singing in modern society.” We are planning an open-door rehearsal with conductors and choir members to mark 125 years since the birth of prominent choral music composer Petar Dinev. We shall also have a combined choir – this is an idea we included in last year’s festival programme and it was a great success so we decided to continue in the same vein. On June 15 there will be festive liturgies in the churches in Pomorie, Nessebar and Bourgas and on that same day we’ll wind up the festival with a gala concert with performances by all choirs taking part.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Bishop of Sliven Yoaniki and Ivan Alexiev, Mayor of Pomorie are patrons of the festival. Every year, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary church opens doors to the festival participants and the congregation. “We have the full support of the church’s hierarch Father Ivan Stoikov. I would also like to thank the festival’s secretariat, as well as its honorary chair Ass. Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov,” Yordanka Toudjarova says.

English: Milena Daynova