Low pay for musicians at Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) is putting the recruitment of new talent and the retention of the public broadcaster’s top ensembles at risk, Konstantin Ilievski, chief conductor of the BNR Symphony Orchestra, told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) on Sunday.
According to Ilievski, the problem has persisted for more than a decade, while over the past nearly two years the situation has become even more difficult and increasingly unsustainable. He noted that despite three changes of government, no solution has yet been found, leaving musicians feeling overlooked despite their professional achievements. Ilievski recalled that last year the BNR Symphony Orchestra received all of the country’s major national awards for classical music.
The musicians are seeking pay levels that would be competitive with those offered by other musical ensembles in Bulgaria, he said.
Ilievski pointed out that the problem affects all of BNR’s musical ensembles, with the number of vacant positions increasing precisely because of low pay. Around 240 people are affected, he said.
Ilievski also commented on the intention of one of the ensemble’s musicians to go on hunger strike. According to him, a female colleague is prepared to begin a hunger strike on September 28 if no short-term measures to improve the situation are identified by then.
The chief conductor stressed that there is no confrontation between the musicians and BNR management. “Thankfully, we are united in this struggle. There is no internal conflict whatsoever,” the maestro said.
Despite the difficulties, Ilievski said he remains optimistic. “I believe politicians understand the situation and would like to resolve it,” he said. According to him, there are indications that work is underway on a possible solution, while the musicians expect a clear administrative roadmap for addressing the problem to be put in place by the end of the year.
On Sunday morning, in an interview for Bulgarian National Television Culture Minister Evtim Miloshev said that there is a commitment from the government, and a sustainable solution for the musical ensembles at the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) would be found soon.
“I admit that the situation troubled me greatly. BNR is a primary administrator of budget funds. There is no administrative hierarchy between us. However, in moral and professional terms, and regarding the interest shown in and attention paid to artists, this is a matter that directly concerns me. I must say that I have worked very actively with these ensembles over the past three years. I know them personally; they are wonderful orchestral players, musicians, and cultural figures. Since the very beginning of my term, I have maintained an active dialogue with BNR Director General Milen Mitev, and I believe we will find a solution. I believe there is a commitment from the entire government, and we are very close to finding a sustainable solution for the ensembles.”
On Saturday, Continue the Change issued a statement in support of the protest of musicians from Bulgarian National Radio and their demands for sustainable funding and decent pay. The party said that it is unacceptable in a European country for a musician from the BNR Symphony Orchestra to resort to a hunger strike. They called on the state to immediately provide the additional funding needed by BNR’s musical ensembles: the Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, Folk Music Orchestra and Mixed Choir, in order to address the immediate financial and staffing crisis. The 2027 state budget, the statement said, should include sustainable funding for the development of BNR’s four musical ensembles. The Culture Ministry, Finance Ministry, BNR and representatives of the musical ensembles should immediately begin work on changing the ensembles’ legal status and funding model, the party said.
Low Pay Puts BNR Musicians at Risk of Losing Talent, Chief Conductor Says THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-20 08:59:00
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