International Students and Chalga: When Cultures Meet

AUBG Daily conducted 10 interviews with first-year international students, aiming to find out what they think about chalga. We asked students if they had ever heard of chalga, and if so, whether they like it or not. We also asked them about the types/genres of music they listen to, and for some song recommendations for the readers.

 

"Have you ever heard of chalga?"

We had to know if students know about chalga music to begin with. Most respondents claimed they had heard at least one or two songs.

Ilia, a first-year student at AUBG, says that “If you find me hanging out with friends and they play the song, yeah, why not. I usually keep the vibe with friends. So if they like something, then I'm also good with that.” 

Two other first-years, Kenny from Nigeria and Renate from Latvia, had never heard of chalga before, but they say that they would give it a listen. They say that they are open to hearing what the genre has to offer.

Renate, in particular, says that from what she understands, chalga is something you sing along to when you are exiting the club, already drunk out of your mind.

“I’ve heard that it is something that everybody can understand, even if you don't speak Bulgarian, that at the end of the night, you're out of the club and you are singing the songs in your head,” she says.

 

"What is your opinion on chalga?"

Tatiyana, an AUBG student who has lived in Bulgaria for a few years, says that the songs she has heard have left a good impression on her.

“Yeah, of course. I've heard of chalga before. I've been living in Bulgaria for 4 years, so it is impossible to live here and not hear about chalga,” she said.

Tatiyana explained that the few songs she has heard have left a lasting impression on her. “There are some good songs. I haven't heard a lot, but I like the ones that I heard, just kind of different from the ones people usually play,” she states. 

 

The rest of the opinions, however, were negative.

Another first-year student, Venecia, who is half-Bulgarian and half-Palestinian, says that while she was raised with that kind of music, she would not willingly listen to it.

“I don't like chalga much. I find it a bit repetitive; it's not boring, but they're all the same to me. I'm raised with it technically, you know, weddings, birthdays, but to listen to it willingly, it’s not me,” she shares.

 

Ben, a first-year student, brought up in England, but has lived the last 5 years in Bulgaria, says that, while he understands the influence of the music, he finds that chalga has lost its rhythm.

He says: “I'm not a person who indulges in chalga. I think it's quite shallow.” Ben believes that chalga was much more original in the 70s and 80s, but as it developed, “it became too mainstream and lost all character, becoming repetitive.”

 

Two Russian first-year students, Georgiy and Fedor, say that they dislike chalga. The reason is not just the sound, but how overplayed it is.

Georgiy states, “I would say that I dislike it as much as possible.” He explains that his brother is the reason why he can't listen to chalga. “When I was younger, my brother used to listen to it everywhere. When I tried to study, he would listen to it, he was asking me to listen to it as well. That's why I hated [it].”

Fedor adds that he has had enough of chalga, “If given the chance, I do my best to avoid listening to it. I despise chalga, in fact. I've just had enough of chalga.”

 

We asked Sebastian and Sophia, both born in the USA. They both expressed their dislike towards chalga.

Sebastian urges clubs to play more house music, as it gives a much better vibe to a club.

“I can never remember them. They all kind of sound the same to me, honestly. Though I hate chalga, not my favourite genre, it's not my cup of tea. In my opinion, we need more clubs that play house music or like Frap vibes.”

Sophia says it is not really music to dance to, which is the main reason people go to a club: to have a good time.

“So, I'm pretty sure I've heard chalga. I don't think I like it very much. Yeah, every time that I've gone to the club, and they're playing Bulgarian music, or chalga specifically. Yes, I am not the biggest fan, it's just not dancing music, and it just gets boring.” 

 

"What music do you listen to?"

There is a lot of variety in the interviewees’ picks, from “Beyoncé, Rihanna, some Frank Ocean, some Brent Faiyaz, maybe some PARTYNEXTDOOR, Chase Atlantic. Yeah, Amy Winehouse is a must as well,” says Venecia.

“I'm gonna sound very patriotic, but I love to listen to Latvian music,” said Renate. She also said she likes listening to classical music. 

Kenny, on the other hand, enjoys “Yodeling, but specifically, when I want to take my mind off things.”

 

"What songs would you recommend to the people?"  

We asked each of the interviewees to give some song recommendations. These were the standouts:

“Maybe “Drunken Love” by Beyoncé, love any Rihanna song, favorite is “Pon de Replay”. It's a very old song, but it's an amazing one, by Frank Ocean, probably “Pyramids” or “American Wedding,” suggested Venecia.

“Ludovico and Aldi. The piece name is “Experience”. It's a classical musical piece, and it brings you through a lot of emotions over the whole 6 or 7 minutes that it's played. I suggest listening to that.” recommended Renate.

“Well, actually, there is one group that I stumbled upon recently, and they have an album. They released the album in 2023, and it's really good for relaxation. And all these things, like the group is called Kinobe, which is spelled K-I-N-O-B-E. If you have sad emotions within you, then at least for me, there is a Russian group called Kino. Well, their frontman has been dead for like 30 years, so he's no longer here with us, but their legacy is still on,” suggested Ilia. 

“I would recommend 'Eyes Without a Face' by Billy Idol, and I would recommend 'As the World Caves In,' Ben recommended.

 

 

Edited by: Biliyana Spasova and Hary Dikov