About the Organizers

Varna International Tours (www.varnaworkshop.com) arranges performance and excursion tours to Europe and Israel for middle and high school choirs, college and adult choirs as well as other touring groups.

We offer educational tours that are especially designed to create an unforgettable and effective learning experience in an international setting. We also provide affordable "music appreciation" vacations and exciting cross-cultural experiences.  Families, friends & small groups are invited to hear the heart of those countries that gave us our rich musical heritage.

Varna International Tours was co-founded in 2002 by Kalin and Sharon Tchonev.

Kalin, a native of Bulgaria, serves as international director of the company. He holds two Master's of Music Degrees in Choral Conducting from The National Academy of Music in Sofia and the University of South Carolina. He also has a Master's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of South Carolina.

Sharon, a native of Israel, currently serves as communications director and administrative manager of Varna International Tours. She also teaches Israeli folk dance and culture classes. She is a graduate of the University of South Africa where she majored in law.

From the Organizers - A Personal Perspective

The burden for this event comes out of the realization that had it not been for a miraculous rescue 65 years ago, I would not have my wife and son today.

You see, my wife’s grandfather is one of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews rescued during the holocaust. His miracle of survival is described in the book Beyond Hitler’s Grasp by Michael Bar Zohar. The author tells how through sacrifice and compassion the Bulgarian people rescued and entire nation of Jews.

Even against all odds and under tremendous pressure, these heroic Bulgarians acted with determination to complete the rescue of their 50,000 Jewish countrymen.

During this fateful time, Bulgaria entered the pages of history as the only continental European country in the Nazi alliance to save its entire Jewish population.

It is from this realization that I am compelled to organize a choir festival, as a tribute of thanksgiving to the Bulgarian people.

We want to invite all that will to join us in thanksgiving and singing together – Songs of Life!

Kalin Tchonev, International Director