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

The BNR Symphony Orchestra protests with concert silence

Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR

The Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra undertook effective protest action, as shown in videos of their June 6 concert at Bulgaria Hall, which were posted on social media. The BNR Symphony Orchestra refused to perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s ''Symphonic Dances''. This was one of the three pieces scheduled in their concert program. The guest conductor was Ekhart Wycik from Germany.

''Silence is our only weapon'', violinist Zvezdelina Haltakova told the audience, as quoted by dnevnik.bg. She added that for years they have been forced to create in inacceptable working conditions — lack of instruments, lack of concert clothing and insultingly-low pay. The concert hall supported the silent protest with applause.

On June 4, at a press conference held at BTA, young musicians from the BNR Symphony Orchestra stated that they receive a net monthly salary of 1,260 BGN (619 EUR). 

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR



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

Sofia Municipality requests the removal of a tent camp opposing the adoption of the euro

Sofia Municipality has requested the removal of a tent camp set up in front of the Presidency building during a protest organized by the "Vazrazhdane" party against the introduction of the euro. Sofia Municipality stated that no permit had been issued..

published on 7/1/25 9:20 AM

Concert of the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra in Sofia

A concert of the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra will take place on the square in front of the National Palace of Culture in the center of Sofia at 8:00 p.m. today. It is organized by the National Academy of Music "Prof. Pancho..

published on 7/1/25 6:35 AM

Traditional Crafts Week starts in Plovdiv

Week of Traditional Crafts will be held from July 1 to 5 in the courtyard of the Regional Ethnographic Museum - Plovdiv, the museum announced. From 9:00 to 19:00, more than 40 craftsmen will present the wealth of traditional crafts...

published on 7/1/25 6:05 AM