Prof. Dr. SIMEON VASILEVSU”St.Kl.Ohridski”:
“EACH OF HER SONG IS A COMBINATION OF MUSIC, VOICE AND POETRY, OF FEELING AND THOUGHT”
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 a phenomenon, one of the brightest proofs not only of undisputed professionalism, but also of the incredible wealth of Bulgarian musical culture. In this case, I am biased because I am one of her many admirers. She is a talent that is timeless and only subject to the love of generations of Bulgarians. Lili Ivanova is a dedication gifted to the audience with an exceptional voice and in a unique style. Lili Ivanova and her audience, this is a shared love. As she herself sings: “on stage a life is doomed”.
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 extraordinary 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?
– I appreciate the most her gift to sing poetry in a unique way. Each of her songs is a combination of music, voice and poetry, feeling and thought. It shows the beauty of both music and poetry. Her unique voice makes them even more beautiful, makes you not only experience them, but also experience the harmony between the artist and the audience, and the consonance in the relationship between the artists themselves – singer, musician, poet. The unique voice and exceptional lyrics of her songs do not depend on fashion trends. On the contrary, they depend on the “musical poetry” of Lili Ivanova. This is the time-constant “current trend” of Lili Ivanova.
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?
– I would define the media image of Lili Ivanova as constancy in change. It sounds paradoxical, but it is true for me. This also requires talent – to empathize and feel the audience, to touch the strings of their moods and desires regardless of the chaos of the time. As she herself sings, “Maybe, maybe this is love.”
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”?
– There is always reciprocity in these media relations. Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio undoubtedly make a huge contribution to the public image of the leader in Bulgarian entertainment music. In the case of public media, and other media as well, it is important to note that for this contribution to occur, it is important that the media themselves sense and respond to the sentiments of their audience. The television and radio audience is Lili Ivanova’s audience, and this eliminates the distance from the concert hall to the television screen or the radio. The VG Radio award given to Lili Ivanova in 2023 for “the greatest Bulgarian pop artist of all time” is absolutely deserved.
5. Do you think that Lili Ivanova is a kind of “national musical brand” of Bulgarian culture and national soul?
– Yes, I definitely consider Lili Ivanova a “national musical brand”. Moreover, it is, to put it in a joking professional language, a “national musical brand” because it corresponds to the overall impression of the audience. Talent is timeless. Lili Ivanova’s professional life and art are part of our cultural and national identity.
