The initiative comes from a Bulgarian folklorist, while Harvard’s choir director treasures a special memory from his time in Bulgaria
One of the most prestigious universities in the world – Harvard – is marking Bulgaria’s Day of the National Awakeners with a unique concert. The event, held at the renowned Sanders Theatre, brings together the world-famous vocal quartet Windborne and guest performer Elitsa Stoyneva-Krasteva to explore how song connects generations and inspires hope.
The program, inspired by Bulgaria’s holiday dedicated to educators, writers, and cultural figures, features students from 17 different nations performing traditional folk songs in harmony. The idea for the concert came from Elitsa Krasteva, a Bulgarian singer and folklore instructor based in Boston.
The Authenticity Advantage
The initiative immediately received the support of Andrew Clark, director of the Harvard Choir, who has a special connection to Bulgaria. Thirteen years ago, he visited the country with a group of 40 choristers — an experience that left a lasting impression.
“We had the chance to immerse ourselves in the culture, to learn about the music, the incredible food, and to see how beautiful the country is — that has stayed with me forever,” says Andrew Clark.
He learned about the Day of the National Awakeners from Elitsa Krasteva herself, with whom he has collaborated for the past decade, teaching Harvard students about Bulgarian folk traditions.
“I’ve long wanted to create something dedicated to this holiday — to unite choirs I’ve worked with over the years, not only at Harvard,” says the folklorist.
The concert includes one Bulgarian student performer – Maria Georgieva – who sees it as a chance to share Bulgarian culture with Harvard’s international community.
“I feel a deep sense of togetherness that we’ll bring these songs to the Harvard stage. It feels like there’s a lesson I can share with others — because being a student is something universal, and everyone has their own awakener,” Maria says.
“My big goal is to spread Bulgarian folklore primarily among foreigners — Americans and people of other nationalities,” adds Elitsa Krasteva.
The universal message of music
Choir director Andrew Clark explains how the story of Bulgaria’s awakeners carries a universal message of unity through music.
“We use the story of your national awakeners to connect Bulgarian music with songs from other countries throughout history — to show not only how special it is, but also how it relates to other moments of humanity. In a time when our students are turning to music and community to stay united, this message feels more relevant than ever,” he says.
The venue is also symbolic — the concert takes place in Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, one of the most prestigious concert halls in the United States, famed for its exceptional acoustics and for having hosted historic figures such as Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr.
