On May 30th, 2018, Martin Koenig, an American ethnographer and culturologist made a presentation on Pictures with Sound from Bulgaria – Photographs and Recordings at the EU Delegation in Washington, D.C. The event was part of the cultural program of the Embassy on the occasion of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The photographs and recordings were made by Mr. Koenig more than 50 years ago in various Bulgarian villages. Mr. Koenig collected, researched, and documented traditional Bulgarian folk music and dances performed in an original and non-professional environment. Historical recordings and photographs present performers, musicians and dancers, as well as their traditional way of life.
Photographs and recordings are part of a project of the Smithsonian Institution, a US non-profit organization that manages the museums in Washington, D.C. It is part of a book with two authentic Bulgarian folk music CDs to be published and distributed through the Smithsonian Institution, whose museums are among the most visited in the United States.
In his opening remarks Ambassador Tihomir Stoytchev highlighted the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Bulgaria found in the original folklore with its unique uneven rhythms and dances. It was emphasized that the event is taking place immediately after May 24th, when Bulgaria celebrates the Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and the Slavonic alphabet. Through the Cyrillic alphabet Bulgaria made a significant contribution to the European and world cultural heritage. Mr. Koenig was congratulated on his interest in Bulgarian folk music and dances and his contribution to their presentation abroad.