ph. Krum Stoev
The XV International Master Class of Raina Kabaivanska organized by New Bulgarian University ended with spectacular Gala concert at Sofia Opera and Ballet House on 27 september with participation of twenty opera singers from Bulgaria, Italy, Chile, USA and South Korea. Guests of the grand musical event were the Mayor of the City of Sofia – Mrs. Yordanka Fandukova and the Chair of Sofia City Council – Mr. Elen Gerdzhikov, the President of New Bulgarian University Prof. Bogdan Bogdanov and the Chair of the Board of Trustees of NBU Prof. Antoni Slavinski, members of the Board of Trustees of NBU, the Rector of New Bulgarian University Ass. Prof. Plamen Bochkov, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, of businesses and media and many lovers of the opera art.
Raina Kabaivanska expressed her gratitude cause to George Tekev - the Executive Director of New Bulgarian University, for enhancing her who supported the establishment of the Master Class and its growing into international event. Great opera actress also rendered thanks to the President of Republic of Bulgaria – Mr. Rosen Plevneliev, to the Mayor of the City of Sofia – Mrs. Yordanka Fandukova and to the sponsors of the event - America for Bulgaria Foundation, Fantastico and Alpha Bank.
At the end of the Gala concert Raina Kabaivanska announced the scholarships for 2015/2016 of her Donation Fund at NBU. Scholarships for further training at the Music Academy “Vecchi-Tonelli” in Modena, Italy received Dimitur Arnaudov, Darina Linkova and Daniela Nineva (Bulgaria) as well as Roxana Herrera (Chile) and Selene Zanetti (Italy). Srebrina Mineva and Kostadin Mechkov (Bulgaria) were awarded scholarships for further training at Academia Chigiana in Siena, Italy. Scholarships for the XV International Master Class of Raina Kabaivanska at New Bulgarian University received Yonghyun Ryu, Taesung Lee and Youdae(Jude) Won (South Korea), Elizabeth Herzberg (USA) and Lucia Branda (Italy).
The Rector of New Bulgarian University Ass. Prof. Plamen Bochkov expressed the respect of the entire university academic society to the great singer, actress and maestra Raina Kabaivanska wishing to the participants in the School of Kabaivanska to follow her professional way on the greatest world opera stages.
Raina Kabaivanska was awarded the great award of National Palace of Culture “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”.