Desi Dobreva and Desi Hristova Deliver Captivating Bilingual Lectures in Ireland

On November 9 and 10, 2024, acclaimed singers and PhD candidates at the Institute of Art Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IIA-BAS), Desislava Dobreva and Desislava Hristova, presented three engaging public bilingual interactive lectures in Ireland. Organized with the support of Vanya Andreeva-Malakova, Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Ireland, the events took place at the Bulgarian Sunday schools “Azbuka” and “Rayna Knyaginya” in Dublin and the “Vasil Levski” school in Shannon.

The lectures introduced children to musicals composed by prominent Bulgarian artists Emelina Gorcheva, Lyubomir Denev, and Rumen Boyadzhiev Jr., while also exploring the significant influence of Bulgarian folklore on contemporary musical genres.

Each session concluded with a hands-on workshop, where children participated in the creation of a musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood,” incorporating Bulgarian folk songs adapted by Hristo Hristov. The workshops allowed participants to experience the joy of combining traditional music with storytelling.

One of the events was honored by the presence of Ivaylo Kalfin, Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2009.

The lectures garnered widespread interest and enthusiasm from students, teachers, and parents alike, highlighting the cultural richness and creativity of Bulgarian musical traditions, noted Desi Dobreva.