Bulgaria to host first Thracian Awards for Classical Music

The first Thracian Awards for Classical Music will hold its ceremony and winners’ concert at the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, on June 23, 2026, according to soprano Sonya Yoncheva’s team. Yoncheva, serving as artistic director and one of the performers, said the initiative aims to popularize Thrace as a cradle of civilization. The gala will be filmed for broadcast on medici.tv.

Plovdiv, Yoncheva’s hometown and a center of rich cultural heritage, is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city and Bulgaria’s only European Capital of Culture. Organizers highlighted the connection to the legendary bard Orpheus, a Thracian figure and global symbol of vocal artistry, as the inspiration behind creating the Thracian Awards, CE Report quotes BTA.

Yoncheva stated, “My goal is to showcase to the world the deep roots of our culture, our most deserving artists, and our country’s rightful place alongside the great benchmarks of the classical tradition worldwide.”

She cited her previous initiatives, including the Sofia Gala and Bulgarian Artist magazine, as foundations for the awards.

The awards will be presented annually across categories including Debut of the Year, Young Artist of the Year, Instrumental Soloist, Ballet Artist, Male and Female Singer of the Year, Director, Composer, Production, Opera House, and Lifetime Achievement in Classical Art.

Plovdiv State Opera director Dian Chobanov, who will conduct the gala concert, said the event “not only opens the 13th edition of the festival in dazzling fashion but also establishes it as an international platform where Bulgarian and international artists meet at the highest level.”