Vencislav Martinov is a famous Bulgarian impersonator humorist, director and producer, author of texts for pop songs and television scripts.
He graduated from Karl Marx Institute of Technology (now UNSS), majoring in accounting, as well as the Nikolai Cherkasov Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography (St. Petersburg, Russia), majoring in Variety and Television Directing. He completed his military service in the Ensemble of Construction Troops at the State Security Service in Sofia as a humorist impersonator. As a producer, he created a series of humorous albums and television shows “The Smiles of Venci”, featuring the most popular Bulgarian folk humorists. He is the author of many texts for pop songs performed by the “Riton” duet, Mimi Ivanova and Razvigor Popov, Bogdan Tomov, Georgi Hristov, Neli Rangelova, Vasil Petrov, Deyan and Boyko Nedelchevi, “Trick” group, Katya Bliznakova, Raiko Kirilov, Rumi Biserova, Diana Dafova and others. Currently, he is the head and director of the artistic troupe “Comedy Club”, touring with humorous and musical concert performances for adults and children.
At home with the dog
I like the whole Plovdiv region, there are great places for fun everywhere
The Bulgarian survives when he finds everyday, folk humor
This girl and the men around her deserved the song about the “predatory hyena” Lena
I thank the Plovdiv clothing manufacturers, who gifted me with great love and great numbers
The old city recharges me, I was very close to the genius Anastas Konstantinov
Hristo Bonev is my favorite character to imitate, I like him a lot
– Let’s start with Plovdiv, Mr. Martinov, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you mention it?
– For the city of Plovdiv and Plovdiv region (laughs). In the city, the objects of mirth and joy are one, in the district – another.
– In the city, we all probably know them, but I was interested in the entertainment facilities in the region?
– I really like the region around Hisarya, because I love the mineral water, which has a unique effect. It makes the fat skinny and the skinny fat. The drunk ones are fresher, and vice versa. I love, when I went from Hisarya to Starosel, there are scary cellars in those places. I also like the snack makers. Of course, the historical sights too. I have a favorite village – Pesnopoi, on the right side of the Plovdiv-Karlovo road. At the back is a wonderful cellar, it is not visible, unlike the others. The bridge to it collapsed after the recent floods. But cosmopolitans will always find the right way to wine.
– There are no bridges for them!
– I like the fertile lands around Popovitsa, where it is endowed with food and taste options. It worries me a little that the highest temperature in Bulgaria was measured in Sadovo. One has to hide in cool cellars, and they are on the way to Bachkovo. So things are complex. I see great natural diversity. Of course, each of the Sub-Balkan towns has its own flavor, its own history. I like all the nice places in Plovdiv region.
With composer Stefan Diomov
– Who are the most famous people from Plovdiv that you know?
– For many years I liked to imitate the great football player and coach Hristo Bonev in my program. He is very happy to see me. Bonev is my favorite image from this region. I love the famous journalist Stefi Stamenova, who is now the author of relaxation books. Often <210> I was a guest at “Canal Kom” when Barekov was a pale young man there. I know a bunch of famous Plovdiv musicians from jazz and pop. We were with them in the group of Bogdana Karadocheva and Stefan Dimitrov. 35 years ago there were only people from Plovdiv in it. All but one of them wore colorful nicknames. We really liked the tours in Plovdiv, because the Sofians slept in “Trimontsium”, and after a concert we went to visit the musicians. Where in the city did we not have pleasant gatherings. Of course, I love the manufacturers of suits, trousers, shirts from this area, who over the years gave me great love and great numbers. I am grateful to them. Of course, unforgettable are the walks in the Old Town, which fill me with mood and relaxation. And a man who lived in the Old Town, but died, otherwise his house is still there. I’m talking about Anastas Konstantinov, a great Plovdiv artist. An amazing artist with whom we had a warm relationship! He had worldwide recognition, not so much in Bulgaria. Plovdiv is a breeding ground for artists.
– Is there a joke about Plovdiv that comes to your mind?
– Over 20 years ago, the president was Petar Stoyanov. The joke is as follows: Someone went to the Lord and said: “Well, I can’t understand why lately all the high posts are occupied by people from Plovdiv”. The Lord said: “It’s okay, man!”.
– What is the Bulgarian laughing at now?
– The Bulgarian survives when he finds the typical domestic, folk humor. He is eternal! The Bulgarian, targeting such politicians who are subject to ridicule, again gives birth to pearls. Even now, politicians from overseas are such an object.
– Why you?
– Foreign features are observed, and the Bulgarian likes to laugh at foreign features, especially if there is something for it.
– Shall we move on to the topic of the song about the “predatory hyena” Lena?
– These are, on the one hand, internal political battles. On the other hand, it is an artistic expression of something that was and deserves this work.
– Some find it too harsh?
– No rudeness here! Too coarse was the contrived activity of this maiden, of the masculine and feminine men around her. Rough action can still be taken against them.
Clothing manufacturers endow it with great love and large sizes
– Do today’s politicians take a joke, or were they more sensitive to humor in the past?
– With this song that you quoted, it is indicative that there is no understanding on the part of politicians for the different variants of humor. I have excellent impressions of politicians from the distant past – both before and immediately after November 10. I had a relationship with them, they were happy to accept my political humor. Comrade Todor Zhivkov was also an extremely big fan of mine. I can tell that they sympathized with me from different parties, because there are no rude insults, vicious attacks in my humor. I am well-intentioned. More like friendly banter with people where you can say a lot.
– Which first people, besides Bai Tosho, liked to imitate them?
– At the time, I had a number from a meeting of the National Assembly with different voices – starting with the chairman Nikolay Todorov, Alexander Dzherov, Yunal Lutfi, Petar Slabakov, with the prime minister Dimitar Popov, Lilov. Really colorful personalities and had a sense of humor. I also participated in the election campaign of Petar Stoyanov for president. Now I use this type of humor less often. Things are different, there has been a division between people, which will bear unpleasant fruits. That is why I am optimistically awaiting the appearance of a real Bulgarian, not an agent of foreign intelligence, who will unite the people.
– So you don’t see one right now?
– At first reading – yes, but I know that it is meekly slumbering somewhere and is still developing. Judging by our history, there are all kinds of options. He can be an iron soldier, he can be a man of the people.
– You imitate Zhivkov, but did they make you imitate Boyko Borisov as well, since many find common things between the two?
– You can’t compare things. The general thing is that they come from the people. There is no other comparison. The former variant was quite accurate for its time. It may have had its downsides, but it also had quite a few upsides. Now something doesn’t have the pluses. Otherwise, they made me imitate Borisov, but I was not interested. Once we were talking with Nencho Balabanov in a TV show. He with Borisov’s voice, I with Zhivkov’s. It turned out to be an excellent improvised skit. But it’s good that the people like everyday, Bulgarian humor. He is healthy. I had the privilege of traveling a lot with our famous humorist Veso Patchala, may God forgive him. It is from him that I have drawn the true folk gaiety.
– But your idol was Partsalev?
– Of course, his charm was unmatched. A symbol of positivity and joy, incredible color. Born to laugh. But Veso Parcala was the same as Parcalev in terms of folk humor.
– Any cult incident with Veso Partsala or the rest of the humorists?
– As much as you want. Rather, I will greet your readers with a hilarious Veso joke, at which I always laughed a lot. For example: Two grandmothers meet at the cemetery. One asks, “How old are you, huh?” The other answered: “At 96. And you?”. “At 106,” answers the first. And the second is surprised: “Hey, will you have time to go to your place?”
– Should the Bulgarian look at the future of the country with a smile, or does the time require some dark humor?
– We have to laugh at everything, that’s how we overcome problems more easily. Always look for the positive. There is a thought by Karl Marx that one breaks with the past by laughing.
With the actor Yuri Alexiev
They get lost with Orlin Goranov in Moscow, the militia searches for them in the middle of the night
As a child, Martynov sang in the legendary “Bodra Smyana” choir. They are together with the future pop legend Orlin Goranov. Once on tour in Moscow, the two got separated from the group in the center of the Russian capital. They wander, eventually they get lost. The leaders of “Bodra Smyana” are raising the militia. The Soviet authorities then found them and brought them back to the hotel, where the conductor pulled their ears.
“We have been in great art since we were children, it’s no wonder that everyone has developed,” says Venci Martinov. “Later, I have traveled on appearances with absolutely all the big stars of our stage. Even then, along with the singers, I started writing lyrics on a friendly basis. “Come visit us”, which I wrote for Riton, became the most popular. Not to list them all.”
The showman never had any problems with the services during the soca. “Political jokes were whispered from ear to ear, at tables. “I didn’t provoke the authorities at the official performances,” recalls Venci Martinov.
Cheers with Kristina Dimitrova
Ivan Kostov gave him an A on the first exam
Venzi grew up as a smart boy, graduated from high school at the age of 17. “They couldn’t take me to the barracks at that age, and I decided to apply for higher education so as not to be a soldier. I loved geography, which is probably still applied to UNSS. I entered and at the age of 21 I had already completed my higher education,” recalls the young man. “One of my first exams was “Political Economy” under then junior assistant Ivan Kostov. I scored a “Very Good 5″ with him. Kostov had the reputation of a strict teacher, it was difficult to pass. But since he rated me so highly, it means I’ve put in a lot of work.”
Naturally, over the years the two have clashed at pre-election concerts and rallies.
With Krasimir Gulmezov
Runs the barracks as a comedian impersonator in the Construction Troops ensemble
“When I graduated, there was no way, I soldiered on. For two years, I was the host of “Conference and Humor” in the band of the Ensemble of Construction Troops. With me were “Tonika SV”, Rositsa Bordzhieva, Orlin Goranov, Georgi Naydenov-Gogo. For two years we did not stop touring for concerts in the country and abroad. We went to divisions, to civilian halls. I got an iron temper! We have had shows in the barracks at 8 o’clock in the morning before the soldiers left for the construction sites. And midnight too. Indoors, outdoors, anywhere.” My military card is probably the only one of its kind in the history of the Bulgarian Army. On page seven, where it says ‘tanker’, ‘gunner’, ‘driver’, it says ‘impersonator humorist’ for me. I used to joke that I was the chief humorist impersonator of the Bulgarian People’s Army. This was clearly my destiny – to make people happy. This is neither taught, nor followed, nor are there schools. It’s just that a person must have certain qualities, be positive,” our interlocutor is convinced.
He warms up the national team in football, he is a favorite of Trifon Ivanov
Ventsi Martinov was something of a talisman of the national football team from 1996 to around 2000. He warms up the audience at the Vasil Levski stadium, and travels abroad. “The most memorable moment is when we beat Russia here and qualified for the World Cup in France. Vasil Levski Stadium was packed. The winning goal was scored by Trifon Ivanov, with a flick of his finger. He was a great friend, he was very happy for me. Then he played in Austria and since he rarely came to Bulgaria, he liked to listen to something cheerful and fresh. I was also pleased to be among legends who were then at the level of the current stars Messi and Mbappe”, says Venzi Martinov excitedly. And he wishes that real talents will be born again, who will do miracles on the field with the team of the national team.
