Two hundred and fifty years of the history of humankind in the stretch of time Anno Domini closest to us are more than sufficient to make it clear that there are cultural values that will last forever. Unfading is the deed of the genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. On January 27 was the 250th anniversary of his birth. Austria proclaimed 2006 Year of Mozart.

The hundreds of festive concerts and exhibitions were centered in the composer's native Salzburg and in the capital Vienna. Apart from the hosts of concert, opera and theater performances, the anniversary of the greatest and most celebrated Austrian will be a popular gala experience. Many of the events during the year are planned to be held outdoors, with no tickets or invitations. One of these festivities in the streets, squares and parks of Vienna is called “Long Live Mozart!”

Naturally, all cultural institutes have special programs. The Salzburg Festival (where in the summer all Mozart's operas and works composed for the stage will be performed), the Vienna Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic, the international foundation, university and orchestra bearing the name of Mozarteum, opera, drama and even puppet theaters dedicate concerts, programs and series to the anniversary.

We, the Bulgarians, also have a fair share in the jubilee festivals dedicated to the great composer. The Year of Mozart is marked in Bulgaria by over 40 events, organized by the Austrian Embassy.

There is one more thing to it, a fact that once again raises us up to the level of world talents. A new star from the constellation of the great Bulgarian musicians has been spotted by the past masters. During the Salzburg Festival the name of Bulgaria will shine again, this time with the participation of a Bulgarian child – Asen Tanchev, or as music experts call him, the Little Mozart. He has been selected among the ten most talented children in the world to play Mozart at this prestigious stage.

His name is familiar to many, so I will just mention the latest proof of his genius. When Prof. Nokleberg, one of the world's greatest pianists, heard Asen's performance at an international festival, he was stunned. Right away he invited him for audition to Germany and “Oh, God!... That's it!” exclaimed the professor and extremely happy with his discovery, he invited Asen to be jungstudent under him (free of charge). In a week's time, Asen returned to Germany to play Mozart's Concerto 23 (NB! without rehearsal) with the festival orchestra of the Hanover Music Academy at the opening of the International Festival of Chamber Music under the aegis of ECMA (European Chamber Music Academy). Here, on January 7, he was noticed by everybody. “With today's concert you opened many doors,” Prof. Nokleberg concluded with satisfaction. On the next day Asen played with the orchestra from Italy. The response was so enthusiastic that he was asked to play at the festival closing night on January 14…

Of course, Asen will play more than once during the Mozart celebrations in Bulgaria. One of his performances will be in Bulgaria Hall with the Classic FM Orchestra.

Asen has his own composition, too. A transcription of Mozart's Haffner Serenade for strings, which he arranged for piano.

We cannot but be proud of this. The musical talent of Asen was first noticed by his piano teacher Mili Belcheva when the boy was only 6 years old. He is prized by the director of “Lyubomir Pipkov” National Music School Mrs. Milka Miteva. Asen will grow and go ahead. And he will become “the great Asen Tanchev”. Because not everyone is “Little Mozart”!