A few years have passed since since pianist Rumen Toskov – Rupeto passed away to go into a better world. All friends and relatives believe in this. He used to combine controversial qualities. Rupeto’s modesty was inversely proportional to his talent. He was always precise in his work as music was everything to him – both art and entertainment. Classical, jazz, folklore, theater and cinema were all part of his short life, full of art. He created projects in different genres with the best Bulgarian musicians and artists -Teodosiy Spasov, Vasil Petrov, Hristo Yotzov, Itsko Finzi, Boyka Velkova and many others. Of course, he is the winner of a number of awards. He received the Crystal Lyre in 1999, as well as the award for theatre music by the Dimitar Vulchev Foundation. Recently his sister Magdalena Stoilova - Toskova, together with her family gathered memories, interviews and stories in a book dedicated to her brother, titled "Rupeto."

"He left our lives so early that some time needed to pass before this project could be realized,” Magdalena Stoilova says. “Years after Rupeto passed away, my father gave the idea to publish a book. It includes a number of photos from family albums. Our father Dimtcho Toskov was the man who collected everything written and published in the press about my brother. Actually, my grandfather Peter Toskov used to play the accordion during weddings and christenings and his four sons learned from him. That is how the musical gene was transferred from generation to generation. He conveyed his craft to his four sons. In Rupeto this talent was the most pronounced, and I think that he really reached a world level. I started writing the biographical data for the book and I decided it was a good idea to ask his friends to participate in it with memories about Rupeto. To my delight they responded quickly and I received some very emotional texts. As I read them, I realized how much love he left in the hearts of people. "

"His latest projects included writing the music to the play Tsar Shushumiga, a new arrangement to the song ‘Bela Sum Bela, Yunache,’ and ‘Kato buchica led’(Like a Piece of Ice),” Magdelena Stoilova says. “Shortly before that I realized that Rupeto had a few months left to live. Listening to the piece performed by Hilda Kazasyan, I could not believe it was true; I thought doctors were wrong with their diagnosis. The music was so gentle and beautiful.”

"My goal is the music of Rupeto to continue to be performed. It should not be forgotten. People should know what he created. I want his music to live after his departure. Rupeto lived the life he wanted to live and did what he wanted to do. He liked to create and listen to music. He liked the people who worked with him and loved to travel. He was really happy. Maybe it is better to live a short but fulfilled life, filled with dreams that came true."

English: Alexander Markov