/ world today news/ On October 22 (Tuesday), the III International Festival and International Competition for Violinists “Prof. Emil Kamilarov”, which will last until November 1, 2013. The initiator of the event, which is being held for the third year, is the foundation of the same name, chaired by Prof. Dina Schneiderman, the wife of the great violinist.
According to the regulations, young violinists from 3 age groups participate in the competition: I group – children under 15 years old; II group – over 15 years and III group – over 16, but not older than 30 years at the date of the start of the competition.
The greatest Bulgarian violinist, Emil Kamilarov, was called the “Paganini Bulgaro” all over the world after he was awarded in 1961 the grand prize at the “Paganini” competition in Genoa, Italy. Until now, Emil Kamilarov remains the only Bulgarian to receive this award, although many other Bulgarians participate in the most prestigious violin competition. He and Prof. Dina Schneiderman are the only Bulgarians who played with the violin of the genius Niccolò Paganini, brand “Guarnieri del Gesù”.
Few Bulgarians know that in the same year, 1961, an award named after Christopher Columbus, born in Genoa, was also established in Genoa. The award is given for the greatest achievements in the field of scientific and technical achievements and culture. Two are the first winners of the prestigious award: the cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who flew into space that same year, and the Bulgarian Emil Kamilarov – “Paganini Bulgaro”.
“The competition found an incredibly wide response among young violinists who come and participate at their own expense from all corners of the world – Europe, distant Asia and Latin America, respected by the name of our legendary violinist. Each year the geographical map of the participants is expanded.
At the first competition, there were children from Bulgaria, Germany, but also from China, who crossed two continents at their own expense to compete in the prestigious award, which is a kind of springboard for their further career. Last year, young violinists from South Korea and Venezuela participated.
This year, in addition to Bulgaria, participants came from Germany, Austria, and for the first time children from Japan and Russia. This shows that the name of Kamilarov is known and respected all over the world”, emphasized the organizer of the competition Prof. Dina Schneiderman.
Every year the age of the contestants decreases.
Last year, 8-year-old Yoo Jin Shim from South Korea won the applause of the jury and the audience with her magnificent performances. This prompted Prof. Schneiderman to change the regulations of the contest, including a third age group – for the youngest. This year there is an even younger participant – a 7-year-old girl from Austria.
“There is another important thing. All the representatives of these countries, when they return home, in various interviews, radio and television shows and in their autobiographies emphasize their satisfaction with their participation in the contest. They also tell how exciting they spent their few days in Sofia, how good an impression the capital of Bulgaria made on them.
Of course, it is very important that we talk about how good we are, but it is even more important when people from other countries give this assessment to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. This evaluation is incredibly valuable in supporting Sofia’s bid for European Capital of Culture in 2019, which was officially submitted a few days ago, on October 18,” Ms. Schneiderman added.
The event is held under the patronage of the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova. Prof. Schneiderman thanked the Minister of Defense Angel Naydenov and the Ambassador of Sweden to our country HE Helena Pilsas Alin, as well as the Ministry of Culture, the “13 Centuries” Fund, the “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, State Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov”.
Mrs. Schneiderman gave special thanks to the entire team of the “Slavyanska beseda” hotel, who for the third year in a row ensure that the stay of the participants in the festival is peaceful and pleasant. Thanks for the financial support and to the sponsors of the festival, who wished to remain anonymous.
“Furthermore, I thank the many nameless people, some of whom I do not even know, who give us incredibly valuable selfless help. All of them help not to forget the name of the greatest Bulgarian violinist Emil Kamilarov”, said his wife.
This year, a ridiculous accident will prevent the famous violinist from playing for the guests of the festival – her right hand is in plaster and she will not have to conduct the opening with her left hand. “Sick, healthy – it doesn’t matter. I am doing it in memory of my late husband. Emil Kamilarov wanted to do such a competition for young musicians while he was alive, but until his death in 2007 we could not get over it.
And now it is my duty not to forget that name. A debt to my husband, who was an incredibly clean person and a true Bulgarian. Since during his lifetime he performed dozens of concerts without any payment, on all kinds of occasions, in his honor the concerts of the festival are free for the public”, stressed Prof. Schneiderman.
Prof. Schneiderman will conduct with a plastered hand
At the opening of the “Emil Kamilarov” International Festival and Competition for Young Violinists, Prof. Dina Schneiderman will conduct with her left hand, as her right is in plaster. A ridiculous incident in recent days has seriously hampered the work of the festival organizer.
“I fell in a wet slippery corridor,” shared the lady. The audience will not be able to hear the performances of our famous violinist, but she will have to somehow conduct, with her left hand, the “Symphonieta” orchestra, which will play at the opening. The soloists in it are four talented Bulgarian children aged 6 and 7.
“I can’t write and play, but at least I can rehearse with the children – from morning to night I am with the participants, however, some are minors and although they are here with companions, they constantly need help and guidance,” says Mr. Mrs. Schneiderman, who, despite her venerable age, is still tireless and combative.
Playing Paganini’s violin…
“The Bulgarian Paganini” – that’s what they call Emil Kamilarov. In 1961, he won the most prestigious violin competition – “Paganini” in Genoa, Italy and had the opportunity to play his favorite violin, the Guarneri del Gesù brand.
Emil Kamilarov left this world in 2007. As an honorary citizen together with his wife Dina Schneiderman of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Bulgarian was buried in a special alley of the greatest Swedish celebrities in the city of Uppsala, Sweden, where he spent the last years of his life.
The first International Festival and Competition named after the Bulgarian virtuoso “Emil Kamilarov” was held in 2011, and the specific occasion is that then half a century has passed since he won the competition named after the great maestro.
In 2012, the world celebrated the 230th anniversary of the birth of the phenomenal Italian Niccolò Paganini. With his inimitable virtuosity, which developed beyond the limits of imagination, Paganini forever changed the criteria for violin art. It is for this reason that the prize named after Paganini is considered the pinnacle of performance and a cherished dream of every violinist. 52 years after he was awarded, Emil Kamilarov remains the only Bulgarian to win this most prestigious world award.
#III #International #Festival #Competition #Young #Violinists #Prof #Emil #Kamilarov
