Zdravei! We are Dunava,
a women’s choir in Seattle, and we specialize in folk music of the Balkans. Have
you ever heard recordings of Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, the Bulgarian
women’s choir? This is the most beautiful and haunting choral music in the world, and this is what we love.
We started singing
together in 2005, released our first CD in 2009, and our second in 2013. Our name
comes from the river Danube, which flows through central and Eastern Europe. We also sing songs from the
cities and villages of other Balkan and East European countries, and this past
year we’ve been focusing on Bulgarian music.
No matter how many source recordings we listen to, or how many Bulgarian
musicians we meet and study with, we are still far, far away from the source of
our music. We realized years ago that we
need to travel to Bulgaria, but we kept putting it off because the cost is so high. Airfare alone can be up to $2000 per person. Lodging, transportation, and music workshops double that amount easily. It’s a tall order for
an amateur choir!
However, we need to go. After
nine years, only a trip to the “home country” will take us to the next level as
singers and as an ensemble. We are working with two amazing musicians and dear
people, Tzvetanka and Ivan Varimezov, who are arranging our dream itinerary
for us. We will travel to Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Kotel, Bansko, and Pazardzhik
to meet and learn from some of the best professional Bulgarian musicians,
singers, and choirs.
But
this isn’t just about us. We also want to convey the message to Bulgarians that
their music and culture is treasured and admired even as far away as Seattle, and a small group of Americans is dedicated to perfecting it.
When we get home, watch out! You won’t be able to tell the
difference between us and Le Mystère! We will unlock the mystery and bring
it home to you—our present and future fans.
What We Need & What You Get
This trip costs $4,000 per person. We are each paying for our own airfare, and we
have already raised over $13,000 through CD sales, concerts, workshops, and fundraising
events.
We still need $8,000 to cover food,
lodging, and ground transportation for everyone.
Why should you help us? Because we want to share the incredible
beauty of Bulgarian songs with you! We
have all kinds of perks: CDs, concert tickets, invitations to parties and concerts, singing telegrams, postcards, and a tour video!
All the money you contribute will help cover our travel
costs in Bulgaria, and every little bit helps.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please spread the word about our campaign. Tell your friends via Facebook,
Twitter, and other social media, or use the Indiegogo share tools below. You can also join our mailing list at http://www.dunava.org
Thank you! Blagodarya!
