Students Experience The Magic of "Swan Lake"




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  • 2016-11-21 20:25:41
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Tired of the same old Blagoevgrad? Already know the playlists in Underground and Graffiti by heart? Want to see more cultural events? Then visit another city in Bulgaria and explore different cultures. AUBG students had the chance to do so last Saturday, Nov.12, when they went on a trip to Sofia and attended the ballet performance "Swan Lake," a production of the National Opera and Ballet. The trip was organized by the International Students Services Office, whose aim is to offer students a variety of events and programs that could introduce them to other cultures. Those include visiting museums, natural monuments, and other Bulgarian heritage treasures. Pavlina Pavlova, coordinator of the International Students Services, explained that these Culture Appreciation Series started ten years ago and are part of the big Diversity Program, which appeals for tolerance to different cultures and for common language among students. "Every semester we organize one similar event connected to the music field," elaborated Pavlova. According to her, music is what unites students even if they do not share the same language or background. Pavlova expressed her satisfaction with the preservation of the vast interest in the organization's activities during the years. In her words, international and exchange students are more inclined to participate in such events, given their desire to gather more cultural experience and to try everything they haven't explored before.
"I enjoyed it and I think it's a good way to bring young generations back to the classical roots of art. The performers were amazing as well," shared Lea Fanko, a third-year Albanian student.
[caption id="attachment_33716" align="aligncenter" width="960"]Photo courtesy of: Lea Fanko Photo courtesy of: Lea Fanko[/caption] Apart from international students, Bulgarian students also enjoyed the trip. Nikoleta Zdravkova, a first-year student, commented that it had been a good idea to attend a cultural event that students don't get to watch every day. The performance itself was executed in a professional manner. The costumes and sets were colorful and eye-catching. The orchestra, led by Conductor Grigor Palikarov, managed to capture and to express the spirit of the story. The leading roles of Odette/Odilie and Prince Siegfried were played by Katerina Petrova and Nikola Hadjitanev, respectively. The dancers performed skillfully to Tchaikovsky's music under the guidance of choreographer and director Oleg Danovski. An impression was also left by Konstantin Tkach, in the role of Jester, who was loudly applauded for his playful and complex performances. The event ended with a standing ovation from the audience that made the dancers take their final bows repeatedly.