Mila Rodino

Mila Rodino

English: 'Dear Motherland'
Мила Родино
National anthem of Bulgaria
Lyrics	Tsvetan Radoslavov, 1885
Music	Tsvetan Radoslavov, 1885
Adopted	8 September 1964 (by of People's Republic of Bulgaria) 18 May 1971 (reaffirmed in the Zhivkov Constitution) 10 November 1989 (by Bulgaria)
Readopted	12 July 1991 (reaffirmed in the Constitution of Bulgaria)
Audio sample
Official orchestral and vocal recording in A minor file help

"Mila Rodino" (Мила Родино, IPA: [ˈmiɫɐ ˈrɔdino]; lit. 'Dear Motherland') 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.

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.

History

Creation

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. It was first printed in 1895 in Part I of "Music Textbook" by K. Mahan.

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.

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.

Under Zhivkov's orders, Georgi Dzhagarov and Dimitar Metodiev resided in the Vrana Palace to compose the text of "Mila Rodino".

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.

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.

The final composition of the lyrics consisted of the original first verse and the chorus of the anthem by Tsvetan Radoslavov, as well as two new verses: the second verse references the fight for Bulgarian independence and the fight against fascism during World War II, and the third verse references the Communist Party of the Soviet Union along with the Communist Party of Bulgaria.

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. This statement led to Staynov being removed from the committee for the new anthem by Todor Zhivkov.

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. 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.

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".

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.

Regulation

Current regulation

According to the Institutional Identity of the Administration of the State of Bulgaria, 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
• ceremonies for raising the national flag
• state and official visits
• ceremonies for offering a wreath to the monument to the Unknown Soldier in Sofia
• diplomatic and military ceremonies
• other official events of national importance
• on the initiative of the state authorities
• 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.

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.

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 and forbidden to be performed.

Bulgarian official

Cyrillic script	Latin script	IPA transcription
I Горда Стара планина, до ней Дунава синей, слънце Тракия огрява, над Пирина пламеней. Припев: (Родино) Мила Родино, ти си земен рай, твойта хубост, твойта прелест, ах, те нямат край. II Паднаха борци безчет, за народа наш любим, майко, дай ни мъжка сила, пътя им да продължим. Припев III Дружно, братя българи! С нас Москва е в мир и в бой! Партия велика води нашия победен строй. Припев	I Gorda Stara planina, Do nej Dunava sinej, Slǎnce Trakija ogrjava, Nad Pirina plamenej. Pripev: (Rodino) Mila Rodino, Ti si zemen raj, Tvojta hubost, tvojta prelest, Ah, te njamat kraj. II Padnaha borci bezčet, Za naroda naš ljubim, Majko, daj ni mǎžka sila, Pǎtja im da prodǎlžim. Pripev III Družno, bratja bǎlgari! S nas Moskva e v mir i v boj! Partija velika vodi Našija pobeden stroj. Pripev	1 [ˈɡɔr.d̪ɐ ˈs̪t̪a.rɐ pɫɐ.n̪iˈn̪a |] [ˈd̪o̝ n̪ɛj ˈd̪u.n̪ɐ.vɐ s̪iˈn̪ɛj |] [ˈs̪ɫɤ̞n̪.t͡sɛ ˈt̪ra.k̟i.jɐ o̝gˈrʲa̟.vɐ |] [ˈn̪at̪ pi.ri.n̪ɐ pɫɐ.mɛˈn̪ɛj ǁ] [ˈpri.pɛf]: [(ˈrɔ.d̪i.n̪o̝) ˈmi.ɫɐ ˈrɔ.d̪i.n̪o̝ |] [ˈt̪i s̪i ˈz̪ɛ.mɛn̪ ˈraj |] [ˈt̪fɔj.t̪ɐ ˈxu.bɔs̪t̪ | ˈt̪fɔj.t̪ɐ ˈprɛ.lɛs̪t̪ |] [ˈax t̪ɛ ˈn̪ʲa̟.mɐt̪ ˈkraj ǁ] 2 [ˈpad̪.n̪ɐ.xɐ bo̝rˈt͡si bɛs̪ˈt͡ʃɛt̪ |] [z̪ɐ n̪ɐˈrɔ.d̪ɐ ˈn̪aʃ lʲu̟ˈbim |] [ˈmaj.ko̝ ˈd̪aj n̪i ˈmɤ̞ʃ.kɐ ˈs̪i.ɫɐ |] [ˈpɤ̞.t̪ʲɐ im d̪ɐ pro̝.d̪əɫˈʒim ǁ] [ˈpri.pɛf] 3 [ˈd̪ruʒ.n̪o̝ ˈbra.t̪ʲɐ ˈbɤ̞ɫ.gɐ.ri ǁ] [s̪‿ˈn̪as̪ mo̝ˈs̪kfa ɛ v‿ˈmir i v‿ˈbɔj ǁ] [ˈpar.t̪i.jɐ vɛˈli.kɐ ˈvɔ.d̪i] [ˈn̪a.ʃi.jɐ po̝ˈbɛ.d̪ɛn̪ ˈs̪t̪rɔj ǁ] [ˈpri.pɛf]

English translations

Poetic translation

Literal translation

I Thy proud Stara Planina, By them the Danube sparkleth; The Sun shineth o'er Trakia, And o'er Pirin it blazeth. Chorus: (Motherland) O dear Motherland, Thou earth's Promised Land, Thy beauty, thy loveliness, Ah, forever boundless. II For our people beloved, Lives martyrs have sacrificed. Mother, give us virile strength For persevering their path. Chorus III As one, Bulgarian kins, With Moscow in war and peace. Lead by thy great Party, Our regime of victory. Chorus

I The proud Balkan Mountains, To it the Danube bluely flows; The Sun warms Thrace, It blazes over Pirin. Chorus: (Homeland) Dear Homeland, You are an earthly paradise, Your beauty, your loveliness, Ah, they have no end. II Countless fighters have fallen For our beloved nation, Mother, give us manly strength To preserve their path. Chorus III In friendship, brothers – Bulgarians! Moscow is with us in peace and in battle! The great Party leads Our victorious regime. Chorus

Original version

Bulgarian original

Cyrillic script

Latin script

I Горда стара планина, До ней север се синей Слънце Витош позлатява Към Цариград се белей. Припев: Мила Родино, Ти си земен рай, Твойта хубост, твойта прелест, Ах, те нямат край. II Хайде братя българи, Към Балкана да вървим. Там се готви бой юнашки, За свобода, правдини. Припев III Родино мила, теб привет, О, майко теб привет! Теб Българийо чада сме, Ти си наший дом свещен! Припев IV Ти си наший кът любим, Кът за щастие отреден! Мил си край незабравим, С чудна прелест надарен! Припев V Как щедро, майко, е Земята твоя осеяна с брилянти! Сред тях прекрасен свети Балканът горд напет – Припев VI О, виж го как сияй! Ний благоговеем пред него и пеем: Припев

I Gorda Stara Planina, Do nej sever se sinej. Slǎnce Vitoš pozlatjava Kǎm Carigrad se belej. Pripev: Mila Rodino, Ti si zemen raj, Tvojta hubost, tvojta prelest – Ah, te njamat kraj. II Hajde bratja bǎlgari, Kǎm Balkana da vǎrvim. Tam se gotvi boj junaški, Za svoboda, pravdini. Pripev III Rodino mila, teb privet, O, majko teb privet! Teb Bǎlgarijo čada sme, Ti si našij dom svešten! Pripev IV Ti si našij kut ljubim, Kǎt za štastie otreden! Mil si kraj nezabravim, S čudna prelest nadaren! Pripev V Kak štedro, majko, e Zemjata tvoja osejana s briljanti! Sred tjah prekrasen sveti Balkanǎt gord napet – Pripev VI O, viž go kak sijaj! Nij blagogoveem pred nego i peem: Pripev

English translations

Poetic translation

Literal translation

I Thy proud Stara Planina, Beside it the North sparkleth. Holy Sun gildeth Vitosha, Toward Tsargrad it whiteneth. Chorus: O dear Motherland, Thou earth's Promised Land. Thy beauty, thy loveliness, Ah, forever boundless. II Off we go Bulgarian kins, Toward the Balkan Mountains. There cometh a heroic battle, For freedom and for justice. Chorus III Dear Homeland, be thou greeted, Mother, may thou be greeted. Sons of Bulgaria thou art, Our sacred home thou art. Chorus IV Thou art our playground cherished, Thou art for happiness destined. An unforgettable country, Endowed with wondrous beauty. Chorus V How generous Mother is, This land aboundeth in diamonds. Surrounded by beautiful lights, The Balkans now proudly rise. Chorus VI O, look how it shineth! Before it, we reverence and chant: Chorus

I Proud Balkan Mountains, The north flows bluely by it, The sun gilds Vitosha, It whitens Tsargrad toward it. Chorus: Dear Homeland, You are an earthly paradise, Your beauty, your loveliness, Ah, they have no end. II Come, brothers – Bulgarians, Let's go toward the Balkans. A heroic battle is readied there, For freedom, justice. Chorus III Dear Homeland, be greeted, Oh Mother, may you be greeted! To you, Bulgaria, we are your children, You are our sacred home! Chorus IV You are our beloved corner, A corner assigned for happiness! You are a nice, unforgotten country, Gifted with miraculous beauty! Chorus V How generous, mother, is Your land strewn with diamonds! In the midst of these beautiful lights, The Balkans proudly arise – Chorus VI Oh, look how it shines! We revere before it and sing: 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.

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.
• 
  Vocal sheet music
• 
  Instrumental sheet music
• 
  Vectorized sheet music

See also

• Coat of arms of Bulgaria
• Flag of Bulgaria
• National Guards Unit of Bulgaria

External links

• President of the Republic of Bulgaria (archive link) — The President's website has a page on the national symbols of Bulgaria, including a vocal version of the anthem.
• Government of Bulgaria — The Government website also has a National Symbols page, with an instrumental version of the anthem.
• Bulgaria: Mila Rodino - Audio of the national anthem of Bulgaria, with information and lyrics (archive link)