As autumn colors paint the streets of Sofia golden, young voices from around the world come together for the International Choir Festival “The Boys are Singing.” This joyful event celebrates the pure magic of boys’ choral music, blending cultures and traditions in uplifting performances. Scheduled for October 10 to 12, 2025, in Bulgaria’s vibrant capital, the festival draws choirs of boys aged up to 16, turning historic venues into stages of harmony and friendship. Organized by the Sofia Boys Choir Association, it honors the timeless power of song to connect hearts across borders.
A Celebration of Youthful Voices and Global Unity
Since its launch in 2022, the International Choir Festival “The Boys are Singing” has grown into a beloved tradition, supported by the European Economic Area Grants. Born from a passion for boys’ choir singing, it unites young performers, conductors, and audiences in a shared love of music. The 2025 edition marks the fourth year, building on past successes to foster cultural exchange and inspire new generations.
Held in early October, the festival gathers thousands in Sofia and nearby towns, creating moments of pure emotion through song. It highlights the clarity and energy of boys’ voices, often overlooked in the wider choral world. With free entry to concerts, it opens doors for families, music lovers, and locals to discover the joy of live choral art. The event’s spirit remains simple, focusing on collaboration over competition, and it continues to expand, reaching small Bulgarian settlements to share music far and wide.
The Site: Historic Halls and Cozy Community Spaces
The festival unfolds across Sofia’s rich cultural landscape, blending grand architecture with intimate settings. The heart of the action is the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov,” a majestic hall with soaring ceilings that amplify every note. Its concert space, at 94 Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi Boulevard, hosts opening and gala events, where echoes of young voices fill the air like sunlight through stained glass.
Smaller venues in towns like Botevgrad, Dupnitsa, and Samokov add a personal touch. Picture community centers with wooden floors and welcoming crowds, where choirs perform side by side. These spots, surrounded by autumn hills and quiet streets, create a sense of homecoming. Attendees stroll between sites, perhaps stopping for Bulgarian pastries or hot tea, as the layout encourages easy flow and chance meetings. Sofia’s mild fall weather, with crisp air and soft breezes, makes wandering a delight, turning the festival into a musical journey through Bulgaria’s soul.
A Line-up of Talented Young Choirs
What sets “The Boys are Singing” apart is its roster of gifted boys’ choirs, each bringing unique flavors to the stage. For 2025, expect four international groups, including returning favorites and fresh talents. The Sofia Boys Choir, hosts and stars, will lead with their bright, disciplined sound, honed since 1968 as Bulgaria’s first boys’ ensemble. Their sets often feature folk tunes and classical pieces that stir the spirit.
Past editions showcased wonders like the Reykjavik Boys Choir from Iceland, with their Nordic clarity and haunting melodies, and the Czech Boys Choir Boni Pueri, known for precise harmonies and lively energy. In 2023, Mexico’s Kantorei Cedros Universidad Panamericana added Latin warmth, while Bulgarian groups from Plovdiv and Varna brought local pride. The 2025 line-up promises similar diversity, with choirs from Europe, perhaps the Americas, and beyond. Workshops led by conductors will prepare joint pieces, blending styles into unforgettable group songs. It’s a mix that educates and excites, showing how boys’ voices can bridge worlds.
Days and Nights Filled with Song
The festival’s rhythm starts gently on October 10, with an opening concert at 6:30 p.m. in Sofia’s National Academy. As lights dim, the first notes rise, welcoming choirs with applause that feels like a warm hug. Mornings bring workshops, where boys aged 8 to 16 learn from experts, swapping tips on breathing, blending, and bold expression. These sessions, held in academy rooms or community halls, spark laughter and lifelong bonds.
Afternoons shift to outreach concerts in smaller towns. Imagine a 4 p.m. show in Botevgrad’s Hristo Botev Community Center, where local kids sit wide-eyed as foreign choirs sing in harmony. Free snacks and folk dances follow, turning performances into parties. Evenings build to peaks, like the October 11 gala at 11:30 a.m. in Sofia, featuring all groups in a symphony of sound. Nights end with informal jams, where boys and mentors circle up for spontaneous tunes under starry skies.
The vibe stays light and inclusive, with no barriers between stage and seats. Families picnic nearby, and the music’s gentle power draws everyone in, creating memories that linger like a favorite melody.
A Festival Built on Shared Joy and Growth
Beyond the songs, “The Boys are Singing” nurtures values like teamwork, creativity, and respect. Conductors’ meetings exchange ideas on training young singers, while eco-friendly practices, like local sourcing for meals, support Bulgarian communities. The event reduces travel waste and boosts small towns’ economies, proving music can heal and unite.
Workshops dive into themes like vocal health for changing voices or arranging simple scores. Open mics let boys share solos, building confidence in a safe space. Funded by EEA programs from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, it promotes equality, ensuring choirs from all backgrounds shine. Past festivals ended with tears and cheers, as participants vowed to stay connected, turning one weekend into lasting friendships.
Planning Your Visit
Getting to the festival is straightforward and affordable. Sofia Airport connects easily to the city center by metro or taxi, about 20 minutes away. Tickets? All concerts are free, though donations help sustain the event. For choirs interested in joining, apply via the official site by early 2025, with spots for up to four groups.
Stay options range from budget hostels in Sofia to cozy guesthouses in nearby hills. On-site camping isn’t offered, but families can book Airbnbs for a homey feel. Pack layers for cool evenings, comfortable shoes for walking, and a notebook for jotting lyrics. Volunteers are welcome, adding another way to dive in. Early planning ensures prime seats and time to explore.
Why “The Boys are Singing” Stands Out
In a noisy world, this festival offers quiet wonder, the thrill of unamplified voices rising pure and strong. Unlike big pop shows, it celebrates subtlety, the goosebumps from a perfect chord or shared smile during a refrain. It’s where boys find their strength through song, and audiences rediscover childlike awe.
No flashy effects, just raw talent and heart. Attendees leave renewed, humming tunes that echo home. It’s a reminder that music, especially from the young, can mend divides and lift spirits, making every note count.
Explore the Surroundings
Sofia’s charm extends beyond the stages. Wander Vitosha Mountain trails for fresh air and views, or visit the ancient Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, its golden domes glowing at dusk. Food markets brim with banitsa pastries and yogurt, while parks invite lazy afternoons. Day trips to Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site with frescoed walls, blend history and peace.
These outings weave into the festival, letting visitors taste Bulgaria’s warmth. A morning hike might inspire an evening song, deepening the whole experience.
International Choir Festival “The Boys are Singing” 2025 offers more than music, it delivers harmony for the soul. With its youthful energy, cross-cultural bonds, and Sofia’s welcoming embrace, it invites you to listen, sing along, and carry the joy forward. Whether you’re a choir director, parent, or curious traveler, this October escape promises voices that touch the heart long after the last echo fades.