Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Zemela makes its first steps on the music stage

БНР Новини
Photo: courtesy to Zemela




A new Bulgarian ethno project has emerged in the UK at the initiative of singers Sofia Georgieva and Viktoriya Mancheva. Driven by their desire to promote Bulgarian folklore, the two ladies have chosen the name “Zemela” - a Thracian goddess of the Earth, plants and fertility. Since antiquity she has been perceived as a symbol of love, beauty, warmth, splendor and power.

Sofia Georgieva is a pop singer and Viktoriya Mancheva - a folk singer who was part of the London Bulgarian Choir and a founding member of the Perunika trio (meaning Iris). The two met in England after 15 years of separation and decided to combine their love of music in a joint project.

The first song of the duo - "Horses" is a new interpretation of the popular song "Chichovite konye" which was on the soundtrack to Kusturica’s movie Underground composed by Goran Bregovic. The work on Zemela’s single brought together an entirely Bulgarian team in London. The recording was made by Nedyalko Nedyalkov – shepherd’s flute, and Dimitar Dimitrov aka Dundee  percussions, the arrangement was done by Miroslav Getchev. The song has a video to it directed by Nikolai Barulov, which you can watch here.

On March 22, Zemela will perform at the Spring Festival of Bulgarian folklore and traditions in London. The event is organized by Marina Ivanova and the Bulgarian Folklore and Traditions charity foundation. The festival will be attended by bands and ensembles from across Europe.

Zemela is now working on new songs, incorporating the magical Bulgarian folklore. "We want to transform the Bulgarian folk song and turn it from a Cinderella into a princess and thus present it to the world”, the singer says. Record labels releasing albums of world music in the UK and USA have shown interest in the project.





Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Virtuosos perform in the jubilee edition of the European Music Festival in Sofia

Three prominent European orchestras will be special guest performers at the 25 th European Music Festival in Sofia. The festival opens on 12 March, and features 19 events divided into a spring and an autumn segment. The diverse programme will..

published on 3/12/25 7:15 AM

Miro dedicates the song "Razkazhi mi Prikazka" to his compatriots who live far from Bulgaria

"Razkazhi mi Prikazka/Tell me a story" is the title of Miro's latest song, which he dedicates to all compatriots who are far away from Bulgaria. "The song is about love and belonging, which time and distance cannot change. I dedicate it to..

published on 3/11/25 11:50 AM

Symphony concert at an altitude of 2,550 m. in Mount Pirin

The Aramis orchestra of the Mannheim international cultural centre in Germany gave a concert on Todorka peak in Mount Pirin. An open-air snow stage was set up at an altitude of 2,550 m. for the purpose, and a grand piano was taken up the mountain,..

published on 3/10/25 9:28 AM