Plovdiv’s revamped Boris Christoff House of Culture to open on April 26

Plovdiv’s Boris Christoff House of Culture is to open officially on April 26 with a grand-scale concert, following a revamp of the socialist-era building costing close to 20 million leva (about 10 million euro) and lasting six years.

The concert programme includes works by Bizet, Verdi, Strauss, Tchaikovsky and several others, with performances by opera stars including Sonia Yoncheva, Ilina Mihailova and Deyan Vuchkov. The orchestra and choir of the State Opera Plovdiv will perform.

Tickets for the opening concert sold out a month and a second performance has been arranged, on April 27 at 7pm, with a slightly different because Yoncheva will not be able to participate.

Renovation of the building involved design and architectural work, updating of electrical installations, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as repairs and changes to flooring and roofing.

The 520-seat concert hall is in one of Plovdiv’s largest municipal buildings, covering 12 000 sq m.

Iva Gesheva has taken office as the director of the centre, defeating about 20 other candidates to take up a post for which Plovdiv required that the incumbent should have a number of qualifications, including knowledge of economics, at least one foreign language, management experience and knowledge of the city and its cultural needs.

Plovdiv is showing off the new facility as part of the city’s bid to be named European Capital of Culture in 2019.

(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)

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