On April 14, 2026, as part of Science Week – 2026, the Kazakh National Academy of Choreography hosted a lecture by invited guests from Bulgaria—Emilia Kristeva Kolarova-Gidishka, a professor at the Faculty of Theory, Composition and Conducting of the Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music, and Mitko Banchev Gidishki, a composer, arranger, and performer of popular music.

The lecture focused on the characteristics of Bulgarian musical folklore and its influence on professional composition of the 20th–21st centuries. Using examples of folk songs and works by Bulgarian composers, the speaker explained principles such as asymmetry, dissonance, and polyphony, as well as their significance for musical and stage genres, including ballet.

Particular attention was given to the folk song “Bre Petrunko,” highlighting its two-layered structure: a main melodic line and an accompanying rhythmic layer with pronounced asymmetry. The lecturer emphasized that this principle, rooted in folklore, was further developed in 20th-century music and became an important expressive tool for innovative composers.

Special focus was also placed on the phenomenon of uneven rhythms, one of the defining features of Bulgarian traditional music. The folk song “Pulegnala Tudora” was analyzed to reveal its rich cultural and historical context. The lecture also addressed the intervallic specificity of Bulgarian folklore, noting that dissonant combinations and complex intervals such as sevenths and ninths—characteristic of 20th-century music—are organically present in folk traditions.

Mitko Banchev Gidishki presented examples of his own work, discussing the interaction of different musical cultures and sharing his experience in creating compositions for a broad audience.

During the discussion, a student of the Academy presented a video recording of an original choreographic performance set to one of the musical pieces discussed in the lecture. The engagement with Bulgarian musical examples sparked lively interest among students and led to a meaningful discussion.

Emilia Kolarova-Gidishka concluded the lecture by noting that contemporary composers increasingly turn to the deep “codes” of folklore—intonations, rhythms, and timbral solutions—thereby shaping and reinterpreting modern musical heritage.

Later that day, the Academy hosted the annual “Best Poster Presentation” competition among second-year master’s students. Traditionally, the contest serves as a platform for testing and presenting research findings, as well as developing academic presentation and communication skills.

Participants presented posters reflecting the topics of their master’s theses. The jury evaluated the works based on criteria such as relevance, clarity of objectives, scientific novelty, research depth, practical significance, and the potential for implementation in the educational process. Special attention was given to the logic and persuasiveness of oral presentations, mastery of professional terminology, quality of visual materials, and compliance with technical requirements.

The competition became an important platform for showcasing the research potential of master’s students and exchanging academic experience. The winners will be announced and awarded commemorative prizes at the closing ceremony of Science Week on April 17.