"Mila Rodino"[a] is the national anthem of Bulgaria. It was composed and written by Tsvetan Radoslavov as he left to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885. It was adopted in 1964. Its lyrics have been changed many times, most recently in 1990. On 12 July 1991, the anthem was shortened to its first verse along with the chorus.[2]
Between 1886 and 1947, "Šumi Marica" was used as the Bulgarian national anthem; from 1951 to 1964, "Bǎlgarijo Mila" was used; and for a short time between 1947 and 1951, the march "Republiko naša, zdravej!" was used.
The song was created by scientist and composer Tsvetan Radoslavov in 1885, after his participation in the Serbo-Bulgarian War. He was inspired to create the song based on his poems when he saw Serbian students singing their own patriotic song on their journey home.[3] It was first printed in 1895 in Part I of "Music Textbook" by K. Mahan.[4]
Adoption
In the 1960s, after the de-Stalinization process, the poet Georgi Dzhagarov began an effort to replace the previous anthem, which was based on the State Anthem of the Soviet Union and included references to Josef Stalin. After discussing with Todor Zhivkov, General Secretary Zhivkov accepted the idea. On 29 March 1962, the Council of Ministers held a competition for the lyrics and the music for the new anthem, with the deadline for the submission of lyrics on 1 May 1963 and the music on 1 November 1963. The committee for the new anthem was selected by Zhivkov himself. The lyrics for the new anthem were finalized on 1 September 1963, and the music was finalized on 1 March 1964. The Council of Ministers also drew up a panel of experts to look at the projects submitted in advance and to put the best of the proposals to discussion amongst the committee.[1][5]
After the proposals for the lyrics and the music were submitted, the committee was not satisfied, so they accepted the advice of Georgi Dzhagarov to use "Mila Rodino" as the music for the new anthem. The duty of composing lyrics was assigned to Georgi Dzhagarov and Dmitry Metodiev, while the melody of the anthem was revised with further harmonization by Philip Kutev and Alexander Raichev.[1]
Under Zhivkov's orders, Georgi Dzhagarov and Dimitar Metodiev resided in the Vrana Palace to compose the text of "Mila Rodino".[6]
During the composition of the lyrics, Georgi Dzhagarov was not particularly proud of his creation. He preferred the anthem without the mentions of the Soviet Union and the leadership of the Bulgarian Communist Party in the third verse of the anthem. An alternate version of the third verse can be found in Dzhagarov's manuscript.[1]
Дружно, братя българи!
Греят нови върхове,
Знамето над нас се вее
и на подвиг ни зове.
Together, Bulgarian brothers!
New pinnacles shine,
The flag flies above us
and calls us to heroic deeds.
In 1964, before the affirmation of "Mila Rodino" as the national anthem, the decision met resistance from Petko Staynov. Staynov argued that the melody is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and this makes the song not suitable for being the anthem of Bulgaria. Dobri Hristov countered the argument, stating that there are hundreds of melodies in Bulgarian songs which are borrowed from other people and thus became an integral part of the Bulgarian musical heritage.[1] This statement led to Staynov being removed from the committee for the new anthem by Todor Zhivkov.[1]
On 8 September 1964, "Mila Rodino" was finally affirmed by the Presidium of the National Assembly, with the Decree No. 534, as the national anthem of Bulgaria.[8] The first performance of the song as the national anthem of Bulgaria took place on 9 September 1964, the 20th anniversary of the Socialist Revolution of 9 September.[5]
Proposals
During the discussion for the new constitution of Bulgaria in the 7th Grand National Assembly, there are some proposals submitted for a new anthem. The proposals include "Šumi Marica" and "Vǎrvi, narode vǎzrodeni".[1]
The most recent one was the petition by writer Nikola Indzhov to change the anthem of Bulgaria to "Vǎrvi, narode vǎzrodeni", the anthem of the Bulgarian Enlightenment.[9][10]
Regulation
Current regulation
According to the Institutional Identity of the Administration of the State of Bulgaria,[11] there are two versions of the anthem, the full and the abridged version.
Official version
The official version of the anthem in an instrumental rendition for wind orchestra is performed by the Brass Orchestra of the National Guard.
The official version of the anthem in an instrumental rendition for symphony orchestra is performed by the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The official version of the anthem in a vocal version is performed by the Mixed Choir of the Bulgarian National Radio.
Performances
The anthem is to be played on the following occasions:
the celebration of the Liberation Day on 3 March
public holidays celebrating historical events and personalities
and on local celebrations with a decision by the Municipal Council
The abridged version of the anthem can be played on the following occasions:
cultural and sporting events
beginning of the school year
The anthem of the Republic of Bulgaria can only be performed once a day, on the same ceremony.
Usage bans
The national anthem is not allowed to be used in advertising, with the exception of national campaigns taken by state authorities. The anthem cannot be used as part of another melody or song, nor to be remixed with different lyrics other than the legally established ones. Playing the national anthem inappropriately, including distorting the original music, is also forbidden.[citation needed]
Original regulation
The first regulation on the anthem came from Decree No. 534 "On the approval of the text and the music of the national anthem of the People's Republic of Bulgaria", which was published on 8 September 1964.[8]
Lyrics
Current official
The anthem currently officially consists of the first verse and chorus. During communist rule, two additional verses (II and III) were added that referred to Moscow (under direct instructions of Todor Zhivkov) and the Bulgarian Communist Party, as well as the fallen fighters for Bulgaria through the years. After the changes in 1989, this part of the anthem was removed[12][13] and forbidden to be performed.
Thy proud Stara Planina,
Bluely the North flows by it.
The holy Sun gilds Vitosha,
Whitening Tsargrad towards it.
Chorus:
O dear Motherland,
You're earth's Promised Land.
Your beauty, your loveliness,
Ah, forever boundless.
Off we go – Bulgarian kins,
Toward the Balkan Mountains.
There a heroic battle arrives,
For freedom and for justice.
Chorus
Dear Motherland, be greeted,
Mother, may you be greeted.
Bulgaria, your children we are,
Our sacred home you are.
Chorus
You are our playground cherished,
You are for happiness destined.
An unforgettable country,
Endowed with wondrous beauty.
Chorus
How generous is Mother,
This land abounds in diamonds.
Surrounded by beautiful lights,
The Balkans now proudly rise.
Chorus
O, look how it shines!
Before it, we reverence and chant:
Chorus
Proud Stara Planina...
... to it the Danube flows in blue...
... the sun warms Thrace...
... over Pirin it blazes.
Other versions
Another version of the lyrics was published by composer Dobri Hristov. It was published in the Rodina collection, by the Publishing of the Bulgarian-Mohammedian Cultural and Enlightenment Friendship, in the town of Smolyan.[16]
I
Горда Стара-планина.
Надъ ней северъ синей,
До ней Витошъ възвишава
Гордо свойтѣ раменѣ
Припев:
Мила Родино,
Ти си земенъ рай!
Твойта хубость, твойта прелесть,
Ахъ, тѣ нѣматъ край!
II
Гордо Дунавътъ се лѣй!
Свойта пѣсень тихо пѣй!
Вѣченъ споменъ той за Ботевъ
Отъ гърди си ще лелѣй!
Припев
III
Чуй Марица, какъ шуми,
И съсъ радость си мълви,
Че тамъ, дето кърви бѣха
— Днесъ тамъ розата цъвти!
Припев
Sheet music
The sheet music of the alternate lyrics by Dobri Hristov.
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