“With the opera “Boris Godunov” we shall show to Europe, that the culture of Sofia takes place on the city squares, in the heart of the city, and not somewhere else.” – said before the journalists of the Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality with department “Culture, education, sport and addiction prevention” Dr. Todor Chobanov. After Chobanov’s words Alexander Nevsky square is one of Sofia’s most indicative places. This will be the place, where will be produced during three days the opera “Boris Godunov” by Modest Mussorgsky on 27, 28, 29 June.

“We have a really long European tradition – to present opera, theatre, concerts. Maestro Plamen Kartaloff is a splendid creator, who, together with his team in the last years made Sofia to be seen on the world opera stages with productions which will really remain in history. This year we have one great jubilee – the 100th Anniversary of the greatest Bulgarian singer of all times – Boris Christoff, a man, who remained peerless on the world opera stage.

“Thanks to maestro Kartaloff an important event will take place on the square. There will be a production which is exceptionally important for us, which is unique after its scales – an opera which many people like and love, which has not been presented since a long time – the opera “Boris Godunov”. Irrespective of the difficulties and of the fact, that the square has to be closed for a certain period, we must appeal to the people’s tolerance, because it is important for the city, it is important for our candidature for European Capital of Culture. We must show that the culture of Sofia is not happening anywhere, but it happens everywhere”, added Chobanov.

“The opera “Boris Godunov” is our powerful support for Sofia to become European Capital of Culture.” This said before journalists Acad. Plamen Kartaloff, Director of Sofia Opera and Ballet.
 
Several metres from the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral he told about the upcoming event, which will take place on 27, 28 and 29 June. “The 100th Anniversary of the world-known Bulgarian opera artist Boris Christoff is one of the solid occasions, but the reason is our support for Sofia to become European Capital of Culture – a city with millennial traditions, it is equal to the other European capitals and it can be proud also of its artists, with the art, which is born here”, stated Acad. Kartaloff.

“Boris Christoff is our great artist. We are found ourselves at the moment several metres from his monument and we are in front of the most powerful cathedral on the Balkans – this is the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

This year we mark 90 years since the cathedral’s sanctification. This is also a wonderful occasion to bow together with our spectators to this holly place. Actually, we have seen this square almost never open. It was barricaded, besieged, stained with blood with no shame. And it must be so that everyone who is passing here not to have the possibility to pass without a kerchief on his/her head or without having taken off his hat. Here we have stood to be humiliated the police, and the administration of the city, and the citizens with incidents out of control, which happened before our eyes”, added Acad. Kartaloff. “It is time to see the influence of culture too”, marked he.