Prof. Ph.D. LYUBOMIR STOYKOV – esthete, culturologist and media expert
“LILI IVANOVA IS AN EXAMPLE OF SUPREME UNITY OF TALENT, WILL, CREATIVE DISCIPLINE AND CHARISMATICITY”
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.
She is a benchmark for style, appearance and culture of behavior and, along with that, an idol for imitation.
Interview of Prof. Dr. Margarita Pesheva
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?
– Lili Ivanova is an unprecedented musical, cultural and aesthetic phenomenon. We would be making 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 individual who is outside the usual standard rankings. It would also be incorrect to speak of her as a woman who preceded and competed with time, because as she worked for time, so it worked for her. For me, Lily is a model of supreme unity of talent, will, creative discipline and charisma.
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?
– It is natural that we cannot imagine Lily without the wonderful texts of the best Bulgarian poets. Nor without the unforgettable compositions of Alexander Yosifov, Toncho Rusev and Nayden Andreev. However, what makes her admirable to me, above all, it is her vocal range that resembles a river without banks, her amazing musical passion and the fascinating transformations of her femininity, elegance and style. I really like the huge palette in her songs – from feminine coquetry and flirtatiousness, through deep suffering to love – both shared and unrequited.
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?
– When we think about Lily’s media image, I prefer to talk about her reputation, which best reflects the harmony between the person and the professional, the woman and the singer, her musical immensity and her social commitment. Over the years, Lily 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 – qualities that thanks to her interviews in the media and books (about her or by her) reached the hearts and souls of people. An extremely important factor in supplementing and perfecting her public image is the deeply and directly shocking “Personal Diary” that the singer published, which particularly accurately shows her aesthetic wisdom and wise aesthetics. In public communication, the most important thing is that the media image of the person is covered with his real characteristics, and that the public’s image of this person is credible, authentic and complete. This is exactly how Lily Ivanova looks today.
4. How big is the role of Bulgarian Television and Bulgarian Radio in building its public image as the leader 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”?
– The role of the Bulgarian Television and the Bulgarian Radio in the formation and development of the public image of Lili Ivanova in the structure of native pop music is invaluable. In the beginning – for reasons quite understandable at the time, these media revealed mostly the singing and stage height of Lily, but with the entry of the media into the era of new technologies and the digital world, as well as through the so-called infotainment, the audience felt and understood its real messages even better – not only about love, passion and romance, but also about ethics of communication, and about protecting the wronged, and about dissatisfaction and rebellion against social injustices and weaknesses. All the awards that Lili Ivanova has received are well-deserved, including and the prize for the most successful and stylish Bulgarians “BG fashion icon” of the Academy of Fashion, because she is a benchmark for style, appearance and culture of behavior and, along with that, an idol to follow. I will say it another way: what Lili Ivanova has achieved – as a musician, singer and last but not least – an undisputed opinion leader and trendsetter, can only raise the image and prestige of the awards that are presented to her.
5. Do you think that Lili Ivanova is a kind of “national musical brand” of Bulgarian culture and national soul?
– One of Lili Ivanova’s greatest contribution to Bulgaria is that she – through everything she has done and achieved – has contributed to the rise of our national self-esteem, for the identification of our people and our society with its unique brand – musical, aesthetic and cultural, which is the highest example of professionalism and dedication. Proof of this is the love and loyalty of the audience all these decades. Because Lili Ivanova’s songs are loved by all generations, who not only enjoy them, but also sing and repeat them with her at the top of their lungs – in concert halls, in front of TVs, everywhere…Lily Ivanova is a real emblem of Bulgaria!
