On the 8th of December,150 years were marked since the birth of the great Finnish composer Ian Sibelius.

On the eve of this anniversary the "Europe and the World" foundation and the Bulgarian-Finnish Friendship Society organized the event "Bulgarian sense of Sibelius." It was held at the Czech Centre in Sofia and was attended by H.E. Mr. Harri Salmi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Finland, along with his wife, and H.E. Mr. Dušan Štrauch, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic in Bulgaria, with his wife, Mrs. Kateryna Hurtaeva, director of the Czech Centre, Mr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian-Finnish Friendship Society.

Ms. Gergina Dvoretzka, chairwoman of "Europe and the World" foundation led the program, which included: a video about the life and work of the composer prepared by Mrs. Maria Todorova, member of the Managing Board of the Bulgarian-Finnish Friendship Society; performances of the young pianist Mario Yotzov /Waltz - Op 34, № 1 and Memory - Op. 34, № 10 by Ian Sibelius/; presentation of the program for note writing "Sibelius" by Dr. Galina Lukanova, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Choral Union and conductor of St. Paraskeva Academic Choir, performances by the popular Bulgarian mezzo soprano Galya Pavlova with the accompaniment of the young musician Mario Yotzov /song by Ian Sibelius from his early period Spring flies, Op. 13, No. 4 based on a poem of Ryuneberg and the psalm Turn to me, Oh God from the cycle Biblical Songs by Antonin Dvorzhak as a gesture to the hosts from the Czech center /; performances of St. Paraskeva Academic Choir at the National Academy of Art /Choral Soi kiitokseksi Luojan) by Ian Sibelius and Trendafilcheto by Nikolai Kaufmann/.

Once the event "Bulgarian sense of Sibelius' at the Czech Centre in Sofia was over, discussions continued with a glass of wine. There was also vodka "Finland".

Information and photo provided by "Europe and the World" - evropaworld.eu