The 11th edition of the Balkan Romansiada international contest of Russian classical and contemporary romance songs took place at the Russian House in Sofia. Under the patronage of the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria and with support from the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the contest received assistance from the Rossotrudnichestvo office in Bulgaria. The festival, organized by the Balkan Association of Russian Compatriots and led by Yulia Dikhanova, continues its tradition.
28 performers from Bulgaria, Greece, China, Russia, North Macedonia, and Moldova vied to win in the contest. The participants showcased their talents by performing classical Russian romances composed by Russian artists. The jury, led by Ivanka Ninova—a soloist at the Sofia State Opera, professor at the National Academy of Music, and opera singing teacher—assessed the depth of interpretation, performance skills, understanding of the work's style, and musical culture.
The international jury included such high-end music prfessors as Ivanka Ninova (Bulgaria), professor of the National Music Academy, teacher in opera singing, Blagovesta Konstantinova (Bulgaria), professor of chamber singing at the Pancho Vladigerov National Music Academy, soloist of the Sofia State Opera, opera singer, teacher, Vera Rozova (Bulgaria), opera singer, vocal teacher Alexandra Kotsevska (North Macedonia), singer of Russian romances Raisa Polyakova (Bulgaria), soloist of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces Song and Dance Ensemble "Red Star" Sergey Trapeznikov (Russia).
The Grand Prix winners are singer Dzan Yunyan from China and Mikhail Motailenko from Bulgaria, while the first places were taken by Maxim Klonovski from Greece, David Miladinov from Northern Macedonia and Lin Chin from China. In total, 10 representatives of Northern Macedonia became laureates of the contest. A special prize of Rossotrudnichestvo was awarded to Zang Yunyan. Prizes were also awarded to singers from Greece and Bulgaria.
Cultural Attaché of the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria Anastasia Kabanova congratulated the participants. She read out a welcome letter on behalf of the Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova.
