Thirty-three years after the fall of the socialist regime in Bulgaria, awareness, reconsideration and reconciliation with our history still seem to be in the process of development. The legacy of this period, some of which still has to be incorporated into today's life, is enormous. Old-time pop music - at that time it was known as "entertainment and dance music" - is one such heritage of socialism. Pop singers Lili Ivanova, Vasil Naydenov, Pasha Hristova, Emil Dimitrov, Lea Ivanova, Yordanka Hristova, the groups Tangra, Shturtsite, Signal, Diana Express are a few of the many stars who began their creative journey in this period and shaped the musical taste of generations of Bulgarians. Many of them continue their communication with the audience in democratic Bulgaria.

Because in the end "good music always unites and it is a real feast for both the audience and the artists", the producer Evgeni Boyanov tells BNR. Evgeni, a child of the new history of Bulgaria, has been working for years with the big Bulgarian pop and theatrical stars of the recent past. It was him, who took care of the stage engagements in the last seven years of the life of "Mrs. Disaster" - actress Stoyanka Mutafova. He has a long-standing professional friendship with Kichka Bodurova and with the "prima of old schlagers" Maria Petrova, who passed away only a month ago. Evgeni Boyanov is also at the heart of the tour "Love and Song", which is held for the second consecutive year with the participation of some of the most beloved pop musicians.

"In recent years there has been a revival, a renaissance of this style of music, in my opinion. I believe that the Bulgarian old pop song still has its loyal fans and we will continue to meet them as long as people want us" - admits Evgeni.

This year's tour "Love and Song" 2023 goes under the motto "Let's celebrate Bulgarian music together" and brings together many beloved singers from different generations, but they share a common passion - the love for art.

And this year the first concert was in Plovdiv on July 10 featuring Elvira Georgieva as a special guest. Elvira has recently returned to the big stage last year after a decade long absence.

This week is the busiest on the Love and Song tour calendar. Every day from 17 to 21 July there is a concert in a different city of the country with the participation of Yordanka Hristova, Sylvia Katsarova, Mimi Ivanova, Maya Neshkova and Nelina, Rossi Kirilova, Toni Dimitrova, Argirovi Brothers and Eva Naydenova from "Tonika".

"In the "Love and Song" tour we also treat the audience with our surprise guests - artists who are not active on the music scene, but have left their mark over the years in Bulgarian history of music. Last year at the National Palace of Culture it was Elvira Georgieva with her hit "Kominochistach" ("The Chimney Sweeper") and Rositsa Bordzhieva with the song "Zimna Vakantsia" ("Winter Holiday").

This year Roxana Beleva has accepted my invitation and after almost 30 years she will take the big stage again. Maybe her name doesn't ring a bell, but if I sing to you - "no, I won't go home. I'll walk through the fields..." - you will immediately think of her "Song of the Crickets" (1985). I think it will be exciting for both the performers and the audience, and we are waiting for the fans of Bulgarian music to give them our love and song"- Evgeni Boyanov says.

On 15 August the stars of the Bulgarian pop music will perform in Burgas and the closing concert will be on 18 October at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia.