North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Dyana Dafova created an unprecedented performance, a combination of genres and cultures.

Dyana Dafova delivered an unforgettable performance at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, one of the best-reputed theater halls in the Chicago area. The National Opera House, a vocal trio from Philip Coutev ensemble, an opera singer and musicians from 100 Kaba Gaidi , combined with the unique mixture of genres and cultures of Dyana’s last two albums Sounds of the Earth and Charisma - Spiritual Grace, created a superb stage experience under the direction of the singer herself. Bulgarians, Japanese, Russians, Canadians, Australians, and lots of Americans enjoyed the art of Dyana, who sings in 11 different languages. Each song’s content was presented and briefly translated in perfect English by Dyana. The Consul General of Bulgaria Ivan Sotirov awarded her the commemorative gold medal “60 years of UN and 50 years of Bulgarian membership in the UN” on behalf of the Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Ministry, after the endless ovations and countless flower bouquets at the end of the program. “This is the first time the medal is awarded to a Bulgarian artist”, stressed the diplomat. It is a recognition for Dyana’s contribution as a good will representative of the International Refugee Agency UNHCR. Hillary Clinton, with whom Dyana maintains a correspondence since the former First Lady visited Bulgaria, was also invited to the event, sent her congratulations and best wishes through a fellow US congressman Nick Lampson. A crew of the Bulgarian National TV filmed the concert and the long lines for Dyana’s autographs in the theater’s lobby immediately after it. A local TV production company videotaped the entire evening using 5 digital cameras and will create a DVD, to be released later this year. Besides the Bulgarian media in Chicago, ABC and FOX TV, Russian and Polish language media covered the concert.

The 60 years of UN and 50 years of Bulgarian membership in the UN gold medal, awarded to Dyana by the Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Maggie Nikolova, Noshten Trud newspaper