In 2004, on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Lyubomir Pipkov National School of Music in Sofia, the Young Virtuosos International Competition was set up. Behind this initiative stand the director of the music school Milka Miteva and her colleagues prof. Milena Mollova, Assoc. Prof. Borislav Yotzov, Stolina Dobreva and Marina Savova. The musical event is organized annually with the support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation. More about the forthcoming edition we learn from Mrs. Milka Miteva.

"The 11^th edition features 127 candidates from 20 countries around the world. For the first time the Violin School from Romania will perform, there will be artists from Macedonia, Belgium, Spain, Russia, Korea, Japan, and of course, many Bulgarian students from several music schools. It is good that our young instrumentalists manage to make their names known at prestigious locations with their achievements. Fortunately, they do it with ease and dignity."

Also, musicians from Poland, Belarus, China, Turkey and the United States will perform. They are distributed in four age categories: from the youngest to 24 years of age. In the compulsory program of the competition everyone performs works from the Baroque, Classical andRomantic period and contemporary music written across the last 25 years. What’s new this year is that everyone can follow the contest online on its website: www.yvcompetition.org

According to the regulations, the contest features different instruments each year. Which are part of the current edition we learn again from Milka Miteva:

"The contest will now be held in violin, viola, cello and percussions. It will start on March 12 with a concert by the winners of the first prizes in previous editions. The next day begins the competition of the string instruments. On March 17 is the traditional concert of the participants of the international jury. Two days later a solemn ceremony will be held of the winners of the first prize as there will be a gala concert. For the percussionists the race starts in late March /Mar 30/ as on April 5 is their final concert. We have invited big names from the world music scene to be part of the jury. As hosts the Bulgarian participation will also be presented by prominent artists and educators."

At the opening on 12 March a book will be presented dedicated to the 110^th anniversary of the Lyubomir Pipkov School of Music as well as a newspaper in music journalism compiled by teachers and students.

Milka Miteva further adds about the awards of this year's competition:

"Besides the prize money there are also special awards. The director and chief conductor of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra will distinguish one of the winners who will perform at the gala concert. Classic FM Radio in turn will reward the best-performing Bulgarian participant. Violin maker Vlado Tilev donates a master violin bow manufactured by him to the best violinist. And the heirs of Dobri Paliev will give an award for the best percussionist. The European Union of Music Competitions for Youth (EMCY) was until now bestowing a prize in the form of a concert in a venue in Europe. Last year this award was received by pianist Kaliya Kalcheva. Since 2015, EMCY provides this opportunity to only eight competitions as one of them is the Young Virtuosos International Competition. Our team is very happy because this proves the high level of the jury and participants. "

English Rossitsa Petcova