oday's Day of Humor is a professional holiday for everyone involved in the art of illusion. 2022 marks the 47th anniversary of the founding of the Club of Illusionists in Bulgaria, which later grew into a trade union. On this occasion, the Fire Magic festival will be held for the first time on April 1 and April 2 in Sofia. "The event is a sign of continuity and symbolic transmission of fire from one generation of illusionists to another," organizer and vice chairman of the Union of Illusionists Borislav Borisov, known by his artistic pseudonym Bobby Show, says.

"The program includes many events, starting with a magic bazaar and demonstrations of the latest achievements in modern art with priority given to young magicians. We have organized magic corners where they will present their skills. On the second day a competition program including all genres in the field of magic is planned,” the illusionist has told Radio Bulgaria.

A special jury of prominent Bulgarian magicians will present awards to the best in the categories "Illusionist of the Year", "Rising Star" and "Audience Favorite". The Bulgarian school of magic has always been in the top five in the world, Bobby Show says with pride.

March 31, 22 Borislav Borisov 2

"We used to be the country with the highest number of professional illusionists per capita. Bulgaria had so many venues, restaurants, places where amazing professionals worked wonders in front of the audience. They did it all over the world, too, and every show was a great success. Unfortunately, at the moment, this art is not so popular.”

Despite his word, just a week ago, the play "Web Burlesque", produced by his theater, won the Icarus Prize for Innovation of the Union of Bulgarian Artists.

Borislav Borisov "became infected" with magic when he was just five years old during a performance of the great Mr. Senko in his hometown of Lukovit. Back then little Bobby was invited on stage as an assistant magician. Years later, Mr. Senko revealed to him the secret that "in order to become an illusionist, you must first trick yourself in front of the mirror and then appear in front of an audience. And that in order to become a true professional, one need three things - work, a lot of work and more work. These days Borislav Borisov gives this advice to his daughter Desislava Dimitrova - Scheherazade, who follows in his footsteps.

"In fact, she had no intention of doing so. She graduated with honors in economics, set up her own office and decided to dedicate herself to business. Only a few months later, she told me that she was quitting and wanted to dedicate herself to art. She quickly gained popularity and became the Balkan champion of magic in 2011 in Serbia and the following year received the award ‘Magician of the Year’

in Bulgaria. She has been a special guest at the World Arts Festival in Oman several times,” the proud father says.

These days Scheherazade has been helping in organizing the festival, which they hope will give a new start and encouragement to their colleagues after years of pandemic and isolation.

"The pandemic has caused extremely serious damage to our work and I say this quite seriously. We broke the connection with the audience, which is our mirror. The important thing is that there is light in the tunnel and this festival is the forerunner of the awakening of our art," Bobby Show says with optimism.

English: Alexander Markov