For a consecutive year Bulgaria took part in the annual Christmas concert in Stockholm, organised together with the European Commission Representation in Sweden and the embassies and national cultural institutes of 19 EU Member States. Bulgarian Ambassador Svetlana Stoycheva-Etropolski also attended the event, which has become a traditional stage for cultural diversity in Europe. The programme of the charity initiative, which was greeted with festive cheer by more than 700 people at the Adolf Fredrik Church, included a performance of traditional Christmas carols in the languages of the participating countries. The funds raised will be donated to UNICEF to help children in Ukraine.

At this year's concert, Bulgaria was represented by the Perunika Women's Choir with the folk song "Royal Boy", arranged by composer and conductor Kosta Kolev. Filled with symbolism, the song describes the rebirth of nature and humanity through the birth of the "royal boy" who defeats evil and brings prosperity and fertility to the Earth. The Bulgarian performance received very positive feedback from other heads of embassies of EU member states as well as from the general public.

The vocal ensemble "Perunika" was founded in 2014 in Stockholm by the conductor and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in Denmark - Mihail Delchev and has been active in concert activities through participation in a number of international music forums such as "Evenings of Culture in Stockholm", the Global Rhythms program of the University of Miami, USA, etc.

The Embassy would like to extend its gratitude to the Perunika Ensemble and their conductor Mihail Delchev for their dedication and willingness to present Bulgarian folk music to foreign audiences.