Antarctic Tales

Director: Boyka Velkova

Conductor: Gancho Ganchev

Featuring: Lyubomir Kovachev, Boyka Velkova, Hristiyan Tsvyatkov, Theodosii Spassov, and the orchestra of the Konstantin Kisimov State Music and Drama Theatre

In 2020, during the 28th expedition to Livingston Island in West Antarctica, one of Bulgaria’s best-known cultural ambassadors around the world—the musician Theodosii Spassov—took part in creating a unique project that led to the release of the musical album Antarctic Tales.

Together with guitarist Hristiyan Tsvyatkov, he formed the first musical duo to perform on the Ice Continent. They also became the first musicians to create and record music there. A few days later, the two gave a concert for an audience in Antarctic waters, aboard the Spanish naval research vessel Hespérides, sailing through the Bransfield Strait.

The concert performance Antarctic Tales is a continuation of this project, featuring music from the album of the same name, composed and recorded on the Ice Continent.

The performance comprises 12 pieces combining jazz, folk, and classical music. Titles include “The Penguins’ Dance,” “The Alley of the Lame Dog,” “Wolf Bay,” “I Could Wait for You Forever,” “Drake’s Tigers,” “Thirst for Freedom,” “Living in the Stones,” and others.

Actress and director Boyka Velkova and actor Lyubomir Kovachev also appear in the performance. They will recite well-known classic fairy tales and poems, helping to recreate the unique atmosphere of the Ice Island.

The literary works performed span several eras. Their authors include Jacques Prévert, William Shakespeare, Mirela Ivanova, Valentina Radinska, Hans Christian Andersen, Fan Gan, Friedrich Hebbel, Mevlana Rumi, Stefan Tsanev, Pablo Neruda, and others.