Since the very creation of the Bulgarian National Radio, music has had an important place in the media. One of the evidence is the Zlatna Prolet (Golden Spring) Radio Contest for new Bulgarian pop and rock songs. Its first edition took place in 1970 and its 47th edition has just ended. The goal is to present well-known musicians but also to give a chance to young and unacknowledged musicians. The contest requires participation with a new song and this is a challenge for both composers and writers of lyrics. A selection committee comprised of music editors and hosts of music shows in the radio chose the works that were to be performed on the stage of Studio 1 of the Bulgarian National Radio, where the audience heard songs of various genres.

A professional jury and a jury comprised of journalists also gave their votes in the selection of the 11 songs. The final concert took place on April 12. Among the finalists were Milena Kostova, Kremena Dimitrova, Dimitar Atanasov together with Mariana Popova, Vera Shandel and Kiril Kalev, as well as the bands Sprint, Hybrid, Horizont, Atlas, Acoustic Point and Der Hunds.

Young artist Dimitar Atanasov won the first prize with his song “Vrushtam se” (I am Coming Back). Dimitar Atanasov has already proved his talent as a composer and performer in various contests, music TV shows and others. Here is what the winner told Radio Bulgaria, after receiving the award:

"The song was quite different before I presented it here. The reason was that initially the duet was performed with Steliana Hristova and now singer is Mariana Popova. At the concert we presented the acoustic version of the song together with Alex Nushev – guitar player and arranger of the song. We decided to perform it in its original version. Of course, it is a big challenge to improvise live but we are satisfied with our performance. Winning this prize is something big and I think our song has a future. We are yet to record this acoustic version in a studio. I believe it will be aired often in the programs of the BNR.”

In the Golden Spring contest radio listeners gave their vote to the song " Edno Nachalo,” ( A beginning) performed by Milena Kostova. The music was written by Eftim Chakarov and lyrics are the work of Milena Kostova and Radomira Mihova. Milena has a degree in pop and jazz singing from the New Bulgarian University and has been living and working in Copenhagen for years. She is active on the European club scene and returns to Bulgaria to take part in various projects.

Each edition of the "Golden Spring" gives a prize for debut. This helps young artists find their way to the professional stage. Now it was the Hybrid band with their song Prozorec (Window) that received this chance. Founder of the band is Rene Ranev, popular with his original projects. In this song he cooperated with Georgi Trifonov, author of the music and lyrics.

We continue with the award of music experts and journalists and this year it went into the hands of Vasil Petrov - a name popular not only in Bulgaria but also on the foreign pop and jazz scene. He participated with the song “Proletta e v Men” (Spring is in Me) with music by Valeri Petrov and lyrics by Ivan Belovski.

The biggest award in the Golden Spring contest is a concert during the Eurosonic music festival in Groningen, The Netherlands. This year, the prize, which also includes financial support, went to the musicians from "Der Hunds" for the song "Spomen" (Memory) with music and lyrics by Borislav Mudolov. Der Hunds is an alternative rock band that has released two albums and a third one is soon to come. They have taken part in all rock festivals in Bulgaria and performed opening acts for bands like "Guns'n'Roses," "Ugly Kid Joe" and others.

English: Alexander Markov

The audio features the following songs from the contest:

.  Dimitar Atanasov and "Vrushtam se"

.  Milena Kostova and “Edno Nachalo”

.  the Hybrid band with their song “Prozorec”

.  Vasil Petrov and “Proletta e v Men”

.  Der Hunds and "Spomen"