In 2018 Bulgarian accordionist Misho Buzhev celebrates three anniversaries-his 80^th birthday, his 70^th anniversary on stage and 35 years since the beginning of his record activity. The golden archives of the Bulgarian National Radio keep nearly 100 recordings of the renowned Bulgarian musician. His music repertoire includes horo chain dances from Northern Bulgaria, ruchenitsa folk dances performed in the spirit of the traditional music of the Central Balkan. Misho Buzhev demonstrates his brilliant instrumental technique in his latest recordings of masterpieces of Balkan folklore. His loyalty to the music style typical of the Lovech and Troyan region is remarkable. His horo and ruchenitsa folk dances tempt many to dance hand in hand in one rhythm. Misho Buchev is a famous name in Northern Bulgaria’s folk music genre. He was born in the town of Apriltsi, Lovech district. Misho keeps on playing with his accordion as a solo musician, as well as a lead accordionist and instrumentalist in various singing formations in his area. He managed to hand down to his sons the love for music. His son Ventsi is an engineer and a member of a folk choir and his other son Hristo is a professional musician and concert master at the Lovech Brass Orchestra.

Misho Buzhev shared with Radio Bulgaria some dear moments which marked his music career:

I started to play the harmonica (mouthorgan) when I was a three-year-old boy. However, I wanted to learn how to play the accordion as well. My geometry teacher also played the accordion. I received my first accordion when I turned twelve and was the first accompanist of the student choir in our area. Since then I have spent my life with my true friend-the accordion. It was with me all the time and I will play this instrument until my last breath.

In 1953 Boris Karlov arrived at the village of Novo Selo (now the town of Aprilitsi) and asked the local people who the greatest musician in that area was? They took him to my uncle Georgi Subchev who headed three brass orchestras at that time. Boris Karlov stayed at my uncle’s house for twenty whole days. I had the opportunity to enjoy his performance twice and was filled with inspiration. I was imagining how I was playing horo and ruchenitsa dances with my accordion and my pieces were performed in the spirit of the typical North-Bulgarian folk music and the music typical of the Balkan Mountain Range. Traditionally, the BNR organized hearings of applicant musicians on every first day of the month. On June 1, 1972 I attended one of these hearings. Kosta Kolev who was a member of the commission told me after the hearing the following: You have a golden field, but it is still full of weed. I will help you pick this weed. You are a very promising artist and we will expect many recordings from you in the future. The national radio approved three of my chain dances and I recorded them soon after-on April 14, 1973. The first one is named Lovech Horo Dance. The local Lovech Press newspaper frontpaged a headline on occasion of my 80th anniversary: Misho Buzhev (the Lovech Diko Iliev) turned 80. The cultural activists’ club in Lovech hosted a celebration in my honor. The prima of the old urban song Maria Petrova, Ilian Dimitrov, Ilko Michov, my good friend accordionist Naabi Ali and other local musicians took part at the celebrations. It was a great party and I continue to receive greetings from colleagues and music fans.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov