American Violinist Working and Living in Bulgaria

February 20, 2013 at 2:43 PM

Being a violinist in Bulgaria is quite the experience. The Gabrovo Chamber Orchestra is full of such amazing history. The musicians have played together for over 20 years and more. It is an absolute family. So many stories to share. The orchestra rehearses at the House of Culture here in the center of Gabrovo.

It is a beautiful building with many problems. The orchestra's office is now called the dripping room because of water damage that occurred over a year ago. It would cost 5-6 million euro to repair the building. It would have been wonderful to see the building in all it's glory. The orchestra concerts are in the Gabrovo art museum which is just absolutely incredible to be making music surrounded by beautiful art.

This was our film concert we did in January. It was standing room only and the people wanted encore after encore.

The situation here in Bulgaria is very interesting right now. One can easily say it is unstable. The energy bills are higher than peoples monthly wages. This is only an energy bill - not heat. Most people heat their homes by burning wood so the energy bill is only electricity. The electricity is not what is making the bill high - it is the taxes on the electricity. For example a 100 leva electricity bill - only 20 leva is actually for the electricity. These taxes are going to foreign owned electrical companies. The people have been protesting for the last week and a half. The ministry of finance has stepped down and today the prime minister has supposedly stepped down.

Bulgaria is an amazing, breathtaking, beautiful country with amazing people and culture.

Bulgaria will pull through. They have survived over 500 years of oppression from the Ottoman Empire this current trial is but a stone in comparison.

Love, Light and Happiness
Heather Broadbent

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From Korinthia Klein
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:26 PM

Wonderful post, Heather! So interesting to hear what you're up to there. What an adventure!

From Heather Broadbent
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 5:52 PM

Thanks Korinthia - An adventure indeed :)

From Gareth THOMAS
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 6:40 PM

Wish you all the sympathy and strong courage from the Baltic states.
Things are not quite as bad here.

Can fully understand the whole set-up...great country lots of problems, and above all after a BROKEN WRIST!

I fractured a 4th finger on LH at the knuckle, and far too numerous other stuff, which I don't even want to talk about.

Take care!

From Terez Mertes
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 8:25 PM

Enjoyed!

From Kevin Keating
Posted on February 22, 2013 at 1:59 AM

Great post! I shared the video about Bulgaria's government resigning.

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American Violinist Working and Living in Bulgaria

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