Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

"Where art thou, faithful love of the people"

The story of this song goes back to Bulgaria’s struggle for independence of the Ottoman Empire. It was created by Dobri Chintulov, teacher, poet and composer of the Bulgarian Revival period, who worked for the enlightenment and national self-awareness of his compatriots. Graduate of the Theological Seminary in Odessa, he was an advocate for national and church freedom.

Dobri Chintulov wrote the lyrics of the song "Kude si, vyarna ti lyubov narodna" ("Where art thou, faithful love of the people") while he was in Odessa. The tune, however, was probably the melody of another song, popular at the time, but whose title is now forgotten. Forgotten is the last word one can say about "Kude si vyarna ti lyubov narodna". The song became a symbol of the awakening of a nation. An awakening that started from a "spark of love" and turned into a "raging flame".


Together with “Stani, stani yunak balkanski” ("Wake up, wake up, Balkan hero"), “Viatar echi, Balkan stene” ("Wind is howling, Balkan is moaning") and several other revolutionary songs by Dobri Chintulov, it raised the spirit of the Bulgarian patriots during the April Uprising (1876) and the Russo-Turkish War that brought the Liberation of Bulgaria (1878-1879).

Photos: archive



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

Toma Zdravkov: Tell me some story

Toma Zdravkov is a familiar voice in Bulgarian rock music. After a string of appearances in TV shows he is now back to writing and recording new songs. After presenting his songs “Napred” (Forward) and “Belezi” (Scars), he is now releasing “Razkazvay..

published on 10/1/24 7:35 AM

Drums - the passion that Ivo Atanasov will never abandon

On October 1, the world celebrates the universal language of music. Hardly anyone doubts the ability of this art to heal souls and enlighten thoughts, but today we will add another story that proves it - that of the only blind drummer in Bulgaria ...

published on 10/1/24 6:10 AM

Grafa and his newest hit song

The latest song by Vladi Ampov - Grafa is called “ Edin pat na edin milion ” (“One time in a million"). The author of the music and arrangement is Vladi himself and Rushi Vidinliev is the author of the lyrics. This creative meeting..

published on 9/30/24 10:17 AM