Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

88 years since the birth of the nightingale of Thrace region - folk singer Nadka Karadzhova

Photo: panagyurishte.org

Today marks the 88th anniversary of the birth of remarkable Bulgaria folk singer Nadka Karadzhova. Born on March 14, 1937 in the then Pazardzhik village of Trivoditsi (today - Plovdiv region), she is a descendant of an old musical family. At the age of 15, at an amateur art festival in Plovdiv, Nadka Karadzhova was noticed by the composer Philip Koutev. And in 1953, at only 16 years of age, she became part of the legendary State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, of which Koutev was the conductor.

Nadka Karadzhova remained in it for 40 years, giving concerts with incredible success in Europe, Asia and America. She later participated in the choirs "Cosmic Voices" and "The Great Voices of Bulgaria".


In 1991, together with her daughter Svetla and singers Lilyana Galevska and Stoyanka Lalova, she founded the Slavey quartet (meaning "nightingale"). At the same time, the singer recorded over 300 solo folk songs for the Bulgarian National Radio, released 27 albums and participated in many films produced by the Bulgarian National Television.
Nadka Karadzhov gave over 13,500 concerts in her lifetime. She died suddenly on January 3, 2011 in Sofia, as the cause was deemed be a severe heart attack. 

Let us remember Nadka Karadzhova with one of her most popular recordings - that of the iconic folk song "Zableyalo mi agantse" ( A small sheep starting bleating).




Photos: bnt.bg, Facebook /Quartet "Slavey"



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Online catalogue of Bulgarian folk songs and dances "sets off" on a European tour

On 22 November, the Association of Bulgarian Folk Ensembles Abroad (ABFEA) will present its project, 'Online Catalogue of Bulgarian Horo and Other Dances', in three European cities: Lyon, Munich and Copenhagen. 'Our goal is to preserve Bulgarian..

published on 11/22/25 10:40 AM

The rhythm and energy of Bulgarian folklore have the power to create a community

‘The Bulgarian horo is a kind of magic — an enchanted circle that pulses with the unique energy of our spirit, our traditions and our identity,’ says journalist Milena Milotinova, who recently presented her new documentary The Magic of the Bulgarian..

published on 11/15/25 7:55 AM

Momchilgrad enchants Sofia residents with Rhodopean flavors and folklore

The Eastern Rhodopes come to life in the heart of Sofia – with authentic flavoуrs, music and craftsmanship . Residents of the Bulgaria capital have a chance to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Momchilgrad Municipality and its cultural and natural..

published on 10/4/25 7:15 AM