August 15, 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of world-famous famous singer and actress Sylvie Vartan.
Sylvi Vartan was born in the village of Iskrets, Sofia region. Her father is of Bulgarian-Armenian origin, and her mother – of Hungarian-Jewish descent. Even as an underage child, she was included in the cast of the classic adaptation of the novel “Under the Yoke”, which became an incentive for future acting achievements.
In 1952, the family moved to Paris, where the rise of Vartan's singing and artistic career began. She has recorded over 65 albums and over 50 million records and discs. She has deservedly won the fame of France's number one singer.
Since the 1990s, Silvi Vartan has been active in supporting Bulgarian culture.
President Georgi Parvanov presents the order "Stara Planina" second degree for the noble, charitable and humanitarian activity of Sylvie Vartan and her association and on the occasion of the singer's 60th anniversary in 2004.
In 2009, the Deputy Minister of Culture Mr. Dimitar Dereliev presented the "Golden Age" award on behalf of Minister Vezhdi Rashidov. – medal of merit.
A prize for contribution to Bulgaria was presented to the famous French singer of Bulgarian origin at a solemn ceremony in our embassy in Paris on October 15, 2010. The award was awarded to her by the Agency for Bulgarians.
Sylvie Vartan was moved to tears upon receiving the order "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" with a necklace at a special ceremony in Paris. The high honor was presented to her by the then Bulgarian ambassador in Paris, Marin Raykov, in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Vezhdi Rashidov. The special ceremony took place in November 2011 in the evening after Sylvie Vartan's jubilee concert in the famous "Pleyel" hall. in Paris.
In 2014, she was awarded the badge of Honorary Citizen of Sofia. The same year, the Bulgarian Red Cross awarded her with the “Medal for Humanity” for outstanding contribution to the organization's humanitarian causes.
Ms Vartan is also the face of a large and comprehensive series of charity campaigns. On this occasion, she and her husband Mr. Tony Scotti are winners of the highest award of the Bulgarian Red Cross – gold medal for merit “Bulgarian Red Cross”.
Her song “Maritsa“ becomes one of the important symbols of the spiritual power of Bulgaria and the connection with France. Unforgettable experiences for all Bulgarians is her interpretation and performance of the song “Tell me a white cloud“!
On the occasion of the facts shown above, related to the name of Mrs. Silvi Vartan, on the initiative of the University of Library Science and Information Technologies (UniBIT), a dedicated Initiative Committee was created, under the leadership of Prof. Irena Peteva - Rector of UniBIT and Prof. Stoyan Denchev - Honorary Chairman of the Union of People's Community Centers (SNCH), which includes Dr. Boyan Angelov - Chairman of the Union of Bulgarian Writers, Academician Plamen Kartalov – director of the National Opera and Ballet, Edelina Kaneva – director of the State Music Theatre, Dr. Nikolay Doinov – Chairman of the SNC, Prof. Myumyun Tahirov – writer, Prof. Kiril Kartalov – Catholic University of Milan, Major General (ret.) Assoc. Grudi Angelov, Prof. Vanya Dobreva, Prof. Ivanka Yankova, Prof. Ventsislav Velev, Dr. Steliana Yordanova, Valeriya Veleva – journalist, Stoyan Rajchevski – public figure, Krasimir Premianov – Union of Thracian Societies, Art. cor. Ivan Granitski – publisher, Dr. Vanya Moneva – choir conductor, Gredi Assa – artist, Maria Ilieva – pop singer, Academician Lachezar Traikov – medical university, Sofia, Georgi Parvanov - president (2002-2012), Dr. Emilia Lazarova – deputy Minister, MES, Dr. Martin Zahariev – deputy Chairman of the National Tourism Board, Angel Stoykov – Chairman of the National Representation of Student Unions, Vezhdi Rashidov – sculptor and Prof. Sava Dimitrov – Rector of the "Pancho Vladigerov" Academy of Music.
This Initiative Committee proposed to the Minister of Culture - maestro Nayden Todorov to award Mrs. Sylvie Georges Vartan with the "Golden Age" Order of Honor of the Ministry of Culture. (NECKLACE) for her significant contribution to the development and popularization of Bulgarian culture and art around the world and on the occasion of May 24, Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture and of the Slavic script, as well as in connection with her 80 – annual anniversary.
Source: Epicenter