Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
On August 8, 1998 my husband Dr. Emil Iliev created the largest jazz forum in
Bulgaria – the International Jazz Festival in Bansko. Over the years, this musical
event has gained immense popularity, which quickly spread around the world and attained international recognition.

Today the festival is an emblem of jazz art in Bulgaria and a favourite place for many Bulgarian and foreign stars of elite jazz art. However, the unexpected death of Dr. Emil Iliev in November 2020 presented us with a huge challenge concerning the fate of the festival. Our decision as heirs and team was clear. The festival has to continue to exist, but its name must be filled with new content. That is why it is fully deserved and morally justified The Festival to carry the name of its creator Dr. Emil Iliev and will be called “International Jazz Festival Dr. Emil Iliev”.

Dr. Iliev created this festival from patronage motives with the sole purpose of
promoting and drawing more attention to the mountain town not only as winter, but
also as a summer tourist resort by attracting lovers of the art of music.

As successors of Dr. Emil Iliev, we can proudly say that his mission in Bansko has
been fulfilled. That is why we consider it our moral duty to continue his work with the same goal, but in different place, which has all the features and prerequisites for the development of summer tourism. This new location needs no introduction, as it is the most popular winter resort in Bulgaria, located at the foot of the beautiful Rila Mountains – Borovets resort.

And today, 25 years later, the “International Jazz Festival Dr. Emil Iliev” enjoys the kind hospitality of the Municipality of Samokov and the Borovets resort complex.

For all friends of music and fans of jazz art we have prepared a rich program with the participation of some of the best jazz, funk, reggae, ragtime and blues performers from Bulgaria and abroad, whose virtuoso performances you will get to enjoy in the cool August evenings in the foot of Rilа among the centuries-old pine forests and the murmur of the crystal Rila streams.

Our main goal as successors of Dr. Emil Iliev and organizers is to continue the
implementation of the main faith of the Doctor – to make the “International Jazz
Festival Dr. Emil Iliev” more famous than the jazz festival in the Swiss town of
Montreux.

Sincerely,

Tatyana Ilieva,

Director of the International Jazz Festival Dr. Emil Iliev