"Christmas Magic" will warm the hearts of Bulgarians in Las Vegas on December 20. Students and teachers from the Bulgarian Sunday schools in the American city are feverishly preparing for a lavish holiday concert with the participation of the theatre workshop "Dwarfs in Drawers", students from the newest Bulgarian Sunday school in the city "Bulgarche", children from the children's academy "Rodna Rech", as well as the "Zharava" folklore formation. There will also be special guests from Bulgaria - talented musicians Alexander Vladigerov and Konstantin Vladigerov, grandchildren of composer Pancho Vladigerov.

"Very ambitious teachers and parents, wonderful children who want to be on stage, to learn songs in Bulgarian, to dance - there is truly a Christmas atmosphere here, the energy is magnetic," says Maria Samichkova, an associate of Radio Bulgaria in Vegas, after the dress rehearsal for the event.

For the first time, two new Christmas songs will be presented to the audience – “Nezabravimo” (Unforgettable) and “Shum” (Noise), we learn from Diana Nikolova, head of the theatre workshop for children and founder of the new Bulgarian school in Nevada:

"The idea for these two wonderful songs came from the fact that I wanted to create a song for my ‘Dwarfs in Drawers’ and when I heard the music by composer Ivan Kutikov my eyes filled with tears. ‘Nezabravimo’ is based on lyrics by Zhivko Kolev. These are two incredibly talented Bulgarian artists. The second song recreates our life, creative life, our dreams on the stage of the dwarfs' workshop. The two songs are truly wonderful. I expect the audience to sing them and create a festive atmosphere," says Miss Diana, as the children call their inspirer. And here is a video from the rehearsal:

"Everyone is happy to help in order for the concert to be realized in the most beautiful way and to become an annual tradition in Vegas,” Maria Samichkova, who is part of the Bulgarian-American Association in Nevada, says.

"The year was extremely dynamic, saturated with many Bulgarian events and interesting projects, some of which were really difficult to implement. But when a person has the desire, nothing can stop them. I hope that the Bulgarians here in Vegas and the entire Bulgarian community will be even more united in 2025 and will have more serious and even more successful events related to the preservation of Bulgarian culture and traditions abroad. I wish the friends of Radio Bulgaria a Merry Christmas! Be well and healthy, loved and blessed! May the new year be peaceful, calm and successful for all Bulgarians around the world and in Bulgaria! And continue to create and to dream!"

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: Rosi Petkova

Interviews and video: Maria Samichkova