"In the book ‘Bulgaria Is My Song’ Iliya Lukov reveals himself to us as a great patriot who has done a lot for the Bulgarian spirit." This is how Galin Georgiev, an ethnographer and one of the book's compilers, describes the folk singer who is famous for performing the most beloved songs from the Macedonian region. And although we mainly associate his name with songs, many of his good deeds remain behind the scenes.

"We often have to understand Bulgarianness in the context of all those of our communities and groups living abroad,” Galin Georgiev says. “Iliya is the man who, through his songs and activities, does a lot for these Bulgarians from our new and old diasporas. He is also the initiator of the construction of a number of churches and the installation of bells, such as the one in the Bulgarian church of Sts. Constantine and Helena in Edirne."

But at the heart of all this is a human need, embedded in the human heart - to lend a helping hand to others. "When I received help, I felt the enormous need to give help too," Iliya Lukov says.

Iliya Lukov opened his heart to the Tavrian and Bessarabian Bulgarians in Moldova and Ukraine, to our compatriots in Albania and the Western Outlands. In the distant 1997 he attended a gathering of the "Rodolyubets" Association, seeing "these compatriots whose ancestors had fled from the Turkish scimitar, but had preserved their roots, language, and traditions". He also recalled that they had not studied Bulgarian for a long time, but had only talked in Bulgarian at home.

"They used to invite me to their homes after a concert to have a dinner and to talk,” Iliya Lukov recalls. What did they talk about? “About patriotism, about how they keep their ancestors’ heritage in a pure way. That's why when we get together, I tell them that it's good to take an example from our Bessarabian Bulgarians, who went through such difficult moments of pain, suffering, persecution." I love them very much and it's no coincidence that my wife is from there. I've had concerts in many large villages and 2-3 thousand people come to them. After that, I visit families who welcome me in a very special and warm way."

"When Iliya Lukov came to us in Tavria, we felt like part of the Bulgarians around the world," says Larisa Savchenko from Berdyansk in "Bulgaria Is My Song." Her words are confirmed by another Bulgarian from Tavria - Vladimir Kaloyanov, a historian, poet and also the compiler of the book about the folk singer. The two met for the first time in the early 1990s, when Iliya Lukov made charitable visits to various celebrations and student holidays. The performer's desire for a book that would unite his life and his 30-year creative and public activity was also born in Tavria.

Vladimir Kaloyanov keeps fond memories of Iliya Lukov's travels through villages inhabited by Bulgarians, but also in Bolgrad, Odesa, Kyiv and other cities.

"People welcome him with bread and salt, with white doves that they release into the sky as a symbol of purity and beauty,” Vladimir Kaloyanov says. “The Bulgarian spirit is strong as Bulgarians love folk songs. For many years we were forbidden to study Bulgarian and for us the song has become an incredible life-giving force that saves us. We, Bulgarians in Ukraine and Moldova, are brought up in this spirit - through song we learn not only the language, but also understand many events, because the people have sung about everything that happened. In this sense, Iliya Lukov has incredible lyrics and people love him because he sings songs that are valuable for them."

In 2006 Iliya Lukov also reached Albania where thanks to him a bell was installed on the once burned-down church "St. Nicholas" in the village of Gjinovets.

"There the temples are built by Bulgarian Muslims and Bulgarian Christians,” Iliya Lukov says. “And when you stand in front of the church, on the top of the plaque it says: ‘Glory to the Lord Jesus Christ’, and under it - ‘Mashallah’. Later, we had the idea to start a project for the talented children of Bulgaria and Albania, which this year we continued in Kosovo in the beautiful ancient city of Prizren. With the message ‘The talents of Bulgaria, Kosovo and their friends’ we gathered children from five countries. Seeing them playing together, the acting ambassador of Montenegro said: ‘Look how little we need to be together and embrace each other like brothers.’”

Soon Iliya Lukov will meet again with the Bulgarian communities in Albania and beyond, but currently he is keeping his plans a secret. "You can't do anything alone, everything is done together with people who know what they are here for on the sacred land of Bulgaria", the singer adds. But what was the thing that warmed his heart the most when reading what people said about him? „The love“ is his short answer.

Author: Diana Tsankova

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: BTA, Diana Tsankova, Iliya Lukov – personal archive