Every year in March the city of Ruse, which is the biggest and most beautiful Bulgarian city along the Danube, gains the fame of a capital of music in Bulgaria.
March Music Days International Festival in Ruse is one of the oldest and most reputed international festivals in Bulgaria. The festival, which was founded in 1961, has turned the city of Ruse into one of the most attractive culture destinations in South-Eastern Europe.
Held by Ruse Municipality, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, March Music Days International Festival has always been a considerable and visible part of the national culture process.
The list of world renowned artists and orchestras, who have been presented on the festival stage in Ruse is impressive and includes D.Shostakovich, S. Richter, K. Masur, G. Rozhdestvensky, V. Neuman, Y. Temirkanov, I. Oistrakh, V. Repin, R. Barshai, S. Sondeckis, S. Costa, M. Kliegel, M. Stockhausen, F. M. Uitti, N. Marriner, Y. Bashmet, G. Kremer, M. Maisky, P. Bruns, K. Penderecki, D. Sitkovetsky, Gewandhaus, Berlin Radio Orchestra, Bucharest Philharmonic, Bucharest Radio Orchestra, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic, Lithuanian Philharmonic, Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bruckner Orchestra - Linz, London Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, Paris Chamber Orchestra, Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Hilliard Ensemble, Sinfonia Varsovia, Kremerata Baltica, De Volharding, musikFabrik, ensemble recherche, Moscow Soloists, Amadinda Percussion Group, Keller String Quartet, Juilliard String Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet, Ysaye String Quartet, Arditti String Quartet, The King’s Singers, I Musici di Roma among others.
The international festival in Ruse is one of the most powerful culture agents on the Bulgarian territory and the region that foster the intercultural dialogue and promote the European common cultural heritage.
Today the festival develops as an open and dynamic form of culture, and an universal space for contacts and exchange of European festival practices: symphonic and chamber concerts, performances and debuts, multimedia, crossover and live electronic projects, master classes, seminars and exhibitions.
It is not by accident that the 53rd edition of the festival is among the strongest arguments for the candidature of the city of Ruse for European capital of culture in 2019. The programme in 2013 offers 20 concerts and performances, set within the wide range from baroque to contemporary music and jazz. World renowned artists from 10 European countries will turn our city into an exciting part of the big stage of music in Europe.
Iva Chavdarova
Director March Music Days I.F.
