International Jazz Festival Opens in Borovets

The international jazz festival named after Dr. Emil Iliev has opened in Borovets—a real treat for fans of this musical genre in Bulgaria.

Over the next five days, the mountain resort will host musicians from Bulgaria, Switzerland, Spain, France and Cameroon. The festival opened this evening, July 31, with a performance by the Blagoevgrad Big Band.

Admission is free for all jazz lovers. In addition to the concerts, visitors will be able to enjoy screenings of documentary films and a Summer Jazz Academy for children.

Tatyana Ilieva, festival director: “We are delighted to have talented Bulgarian jazz performers participating, as well as the two world-renowned jazz stars—Vincent Garcia and Richard Bona.”

Angel Dzhorgov, mayor of Samokov: “To attract more tourists, we strive to ensure there are enough high-quality events in the city, the municipality, and in Borovets, and this festival is the most significant event on our cultural calendar.”