On April 24, the musical icon of Bulgaria, Lily Ivanova, leaves behind her impressive 85 years, 65 of which she has always been at the top as a creator, artist and person who inspires.
A unique life filled with striving for perfection and dedication to the public; a brilliant musical career, whose achievements have entered the treasury of Bulgarian culture.
Over 15,000 concerts in our country and abroad, hundreds of songs that 6 generations of Bulgarians sing, dozens of awards – behind all this is tireless work, iron discipline and LOVE, with which Lily passes like an immortal through time.
Epicenter. bg marks this anniversary in a unique way – we provide the greatest media educator, critic, analyst and art critic Prof. Dr. MARGARITA PESHEVA to make a portrait of Lili Ivanova through the opinion of her prominent interlocutors.
Prof. Margarita Pesheva chose four influential and respected media luminaries:
Prof. D.Sc. LYUBOMIR STOYKOV – esthete, culturologist and media expert;
MAGGIE HALVADJIAN – film and television producer;
Prof. Dr. VESELINA VALKANOVA – dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at SU “Kliment Ohridski”;
Prof. Dr. SIMEON VASILEV – SU “St. Kl. Ohridski”.
He asked them 5 identical questions:
1. What is Lili Ivanova for you? A national musical icon who expresses the Bulgarian song tradition in an inimitable way? Or is the “Lili Ivanova” phenomenon a vivid proof of this very high professionalism, which inevitably leads to great and indisputable successes in the profession?
2. What do you appreciate most about her songs? The exceptional texts of Ivan Vazov, Pencho Slaveikov, Peyo Yavorov, Damian Damyanov, Pavel Matev? Or the magnificent music of Alexander Yosifov, Toncho Rusev, Nayden Andreev? Or the modern arrangements of the songs that fit the current trends in fun music? Or, above all, is her exceptional talent as a performer constantly evolving and changing, her gift not just to sing, but to experience each song, offering it to the heart and soul of the audience?
3. How has the media image of Lili Ivanova changed for you over the years? Does it become more vivid, understandable and desirable – in the context of her enormous popularity, love and dedication to the audience, which are truly unparalleled in our musical culture?
4. How big is the role of Bulgarian Television and the Bulgarian Radio to build her public image as a prima in Bulgarian entertainment music? In your opinion, is the BG Radio award given to Lili Ivanova in 2023 deserved? for “the greatest Bulgarian pop artist of all time”?
5. Do you think that Lili Ivanova is a kind of “national music brand” of Bulgarian, of Bulgarian culture and national soul?
And from the answers emerged the image of Lili Ivanova as seen by contemporaries:
Prof. Lyubomir Stoykov: “We would make a mistake if we tried to define her only as a unique singer, artist or fashion icon. Lily should be analyzed and commented on in the integral context of an extraordinary phenomenon, of a fantastic person who is outside the usual standard classifications.
Over the years, Lili Ivanova’s image and reputation have evolved so much that today she makes an impact not only with her magical voice and her stage virtuosity, but also with her wisdom, frankness, criticality and broad-mindedness
She is a benchmark for style, appearance and culture of behavior and, along with that, an idol for imitation.
Lili Ivanova’s songs are loved by all generations, who not only enjoy them, but also sing and repeat them with her heart – in concert halls, in front of the televisions, everywhere… Lili Ivanova is a real emblem of Bulgaria!”
Maggie Halvajian: “There are very few people in Bulgaria who can be called “Legends”. And we need such Legends. Because a nation unites around people who set an example throughout their lives. For Bulgarians, Vasil Levski is a saint, he fought to the end for the realization of the Bulgarian ideal. That is why we all bow down to Levski, teach our children who Levski is and what he fought for.
In the same way, in songwriting we have our own Lili Ivanova.
She sings not only about love, but also about the meaning of human life, about good and evil in the difficult life path.
The most valuable thing about her is that she managed to pass through the years and keep her musical style. She’s not a Madonna who switches styles and thus ensures her longevity. While Lili Ivanova managed to keep what she was before. At the same time, regardless of age, time and fashion, she managed not only to maintain, but also to constantly increase her audience.
She’s underappreciated, awards-wise, lately, for the pinnacle of music that she is. Yes, the world has its King of Rock and Roll, and that’s Elvis Presley, it’s got its King of Pop, and that’s Michael Jackson. And we have our Bulgarian, local music queen! And this is Lily Ivanova!”
Prof. Dr. Veselina Valkanozhva: “Applauded, photographed, invited, loved – Lili Ivanova connects, motivates, inspires, she is a phenomenon, an idol for generations of Bulgarians who follow her performances live. For people like her, Blaga Dimitrova’s poem is valid: “on their foreheads imprinted / with the fire sign: Condemned / to love”.
Prof. Dr. Simeon Vassilev: “Lili Ivanova and her audience, this is a shared love. As she herself sings: “on stage a life is doomed”. The unique voice and exceptional lyrics of her songs do not depend on fashion trends. On the contrary, they depend on Lily’s “musical poetry” Ivanova. To empathize and feel the audience, to touch the strings of their moods and desires regardless of the chaos of the time – this also requires talent!” Lili Ivanova is a “national music brand” because the professional life and art of Lili Ivanova are part of our cultural and national identity.
Wait for the interviews of Prof. Dr. Margarita Pesheva
Tags: fantastic personality charts
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