“I don’t forget you” – song performed by Dani Ilieva and Emin Al-Junaid – won the 39th edition of the National Competition “Burgas and the Sea”, which was held at the Summer Theater in Burgas last night. The song with lyrics by Krasimir Eftimov, music and arrangement by Eftim Chakarov impressed the jury the most. Composer Stefan Diomov presented the winner with a statuette and a check for BGN 4,500.
Dani Ilieva and Emin Al-Juneid* also won the votes from the online voting without appeal, which gave them the absolute first place in this ranking. The song “I don’t forget you” also won another prize – a prize for lyrics.
The second place was awarded to Vlado Dimov and his song “The Stars in Us”. The arrangement is by Svetoslav Loboshki; the text by Emiliana Stoimenova. The award was presented by the singer Toni Dimitrova.
The third place goes to Disho and Ivan with the song “Before Many Moons”. The award was presented by the general director of BTA Kiril Valchev. Disho and Ivan also won the audience award. The prize was presented by the deputy mayor of Burgas Municipality Diyana Savateva. They also won the award in memory of the bard Plamen Stavrev.
On the stage of the Summer Theater tonight, twelve finalist songs were performed, admitted to the competition after the selection of the selection committee. Among the songs that competed were “Life Goes On”, “True Love”, “Like in a Hollywood Movie”, “The Peach Thief”, “My Day”, “Summer Island”, Rock and Roll Star – Fandango Group, “I will love you”.
Immediately after the performance of the 12 finalist songs in the competition, Veselin Marinov presented a nearly half-hour musical recital. He was also part of the jury that ranked the songs in the competition part. Traditionally, it is composed of proven professionals in various fields. This year, the jury included the General Director of BTA Kiril Valchev, the singer Toni Dimitrova, the writer Vanyo Valchev, Diana Savateva – Deputy Mayor with the “Culture, Tourism and Sport” department in the Municipality of Burgas, Petar Alexiev – composer and winner of the first prize of ” Burgas and the sea” in 2021.
The National Funny Song Contest “Burgas and the sea” was organized for the first time in 1973 under the name “Songs for Burgas, the sea and its working people” by the Burgas Orchestra in the summer theater of the city. After 13 issues it briefly ceased to exist. It was restored in 1996 under the name “Burgas and the Sea” by the “Hot Sand” group and has been held every year since then.
The competition inherited the traditions of “Songs for Burgas, the sea and its working people”, launched many Bulgarian composers, lyricists and performers, created emblematic Bulgarian funny songs.
Today, the competition creates and distributes Bulgarian songs, develops creative potential in the field of musical art, supports composers, poets, performers and develops Bulgarian musical culture. The event is held every year under the patronage of the Mayor of Burgas Municipality.
Dani Ilieva she has been singing since she was 7 years old and has received awards from vocal competitions in the country. The teenager won 16 of the prizes in her rich collection of awards last year, performing on more than 30 concert and competition stages. She was born in Karlovo and is the daughter of Anita Ilieva – vocal pedagogue and founder of the “Karlovois” Music School and the “Song Palette” National Competition. Danny’s father is the conductor of the Military Brass Band in Karlovo. Dani Ilieva is the winner of the contests “Path to Glory” in Sofia, “Fifteen Tulips” in Hisarya, “The Sound of Time” in Veliko Tarnovo, “Christmas Star” in Tutrakan, “Patriarchy” in Panagyurishte, “Believe, Ask, You Can” in Bankya. He likes to play the piano, cook and make videos for his YouTube channel.
Yemin Al Junayd is a graduate of the Stringendo Art Center with teacher Emil Strundjev. A first-year student in Creative Business; HU University of Applied Sciences; Utrecht, Netherlands. Emin is one of the few singing athletes who conquers the musical heights. He has received awards from national and international competitions, among which: “Glory to the Fatherland” – Moscow, Russia 2018 – Grand Prix, “Bravissimo Fest” – Nikolaev, Ukraine 2019 – Grand Prix, “Song Palette” – Karlovo, Bulgaria 2020 – Grand At and first place in Malta this year at “Golden Voice”.
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