BELEVA & MILANOV DUO

The duo of Hristina Beleva and Petar Milanov occupies a special place in contemporary Bulgarian music. Through the dialogue between gadulka and guitar, they create a world where folklore, jazz and improvisation coexist in natural harmony. With only two instruments, they tell stories, paint vivid musical landscapes and convey remarkable emotional depth.
The project was founded in 2011 with the release of their debut album On Focus. Since then, Beleva and Milanov have developed a distinctive musical language rooted in Bulgarian folklore while remaining open to influences from the Balkans, the Mediterranean and contemporary world music. Their compositions combine subtle virtuosity, improvisation and lyrical expression, turning each performance into an intimate artistic experience.
Hristina Beleva is among the musicians redefining the role of the gadulka in contemporary music, expanding its expressive possibilities far beyond its traditional context. Alongside her stands guitarist Petar Milanov, a highly sensitive and versatile musician whose artistry forms the perfect counterpart in this musical dialogue.
Both artists are soloists with the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Orchestra and have participated in prestigious international projects, including BooCheeMish with The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices and Lisa Gerrard, Belonoga Project, Colors Quintet, and many others.
Their music reminds us that true beauty often lies in simplicity—in a single sound, a single melody and a shared musical experience.