- Israeli security cabinet to discuss ceasefire as US says deal 'close'
- COP29 president blames rich countries for 'imperfect' deal
- No regrets: Merkel looks back at refugee crisis, Russia ties
- IPL history-maker, 13, who 'came on Earth to play cricket'
- Prosecutors seek up to 12-year terms for French rape trial defendants
- Laos hostel staff detained after backpackers' deaths
- Hong Kong LGBTQ advocate wins posthumous legal victory
- Rod Stewart to play Glastonbury legends slot
- Winter rains pile misery on war-torn Gaza's displaced
- 'Taiwan also has baseball': jubilant fans celebrate historic win
- Russia pummels Ukraine with 'record' drone barrage
- Paul Pogba blackmail trial set to open in Paris
- Landmine victims gather to protest US decision to supply Ukraine
- Indian rival royal factions clash outside palace
- Manga adaptation 'Drops of God' nets International Emmy Award
- Philippine VP denies assassination plot against Marcos
- Hong Kong's legal battles over LGBTQ rights: key dates
- US lawmakers warn Hong Kong becoming financial crime hub
- Compressed natural gas vehicles gain slow momentum in Nigeria
- As Arctic climate warms, even Santa runs short of snow
- Plastic pollution talks: the key sticking points
- Indonesia rejects Apple's $100 million investment offer
- Pakistan police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at pro-Khan supporters
- Hong Kong same-sex couples win housing, inheritance rights
- Indonesia digs out as flooding, landslide death toll hits 20
- Liverpool's old guard thriving despite uncertain futures
- Mbappe takes reins for Real Madrid in Liverpool clash
- As AI gets real, slow and steady wins the race
- China's Huawei to launch 'milestone' smartphone with homegrown OS
- Porzingis and Morant make triumphant NBA returns
- Hong Kong top court affirms housing, inheritance rights for same-sex couples
- Philippines, China clashes trigger money-making disinformation
- Most Asian markets drop, dollar gains as Trump fires tariff warning
- England 'not quivering' ahead of New Zealand Test challenge
- Bethell to bat at three on England Test debut against New Zealand
- Trump vows big tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China
- New Zealand and England to play for Crowe-Thorpe Trophy
- Scheffler, Schauffele and McIlroy up for PGA Player of the Year
- Trump to face less internal pushback in new term: ex-commerce chief
- Extreme weather threatens Canada's hydropower future
- More than 34,000 register as candidates for Mexico judges' election
- Australia ban cycling's Richardson for life after UK defection
- Internal displacement in Africa triples in 15 years: monitor
- 'Remarkable global progress': HIV cases and deaths declining
- Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban
- Tiger to skip Hero World Challenge after back surgery
- MLB shifts six 2025 Rays games to avoid weather issues
- US women's keeper Naeher retiring after Europe matches
- West Ham stun Newcastle to ease pressure on Lopetegui
- Arteta calls on Arsenal to show 'ruthless' streak on Champions League travels
From coronation to poorest nation: Bulgarian maestro on tour
On the same evening as Vasko Vassilev led the orchestra at King Charles III's coronation, the virtuoso violinist jumped on a plane to tour the EU's poorest nation -- his native Bulgaria.
A far cry from the splendour of Westminster Abbey, the stage in the northwestern Bulgarian town of Montana was dilapidated and poorly lit.
But the audience was captivated.
"For me it was very important to perform in these towns, where there aren't many music events and where people are prepared to deprive themselves of something else in their lives to spend money on a ticket," 52-year-old Vassilev told AFP.
The audience at these "very special", sold-out performances is "brimming with expectations", he said, visibly moved.
Of all his listeners, they were "the most important", he said.
"It was wonderful. I'm shivering," businessman Micho Stavrov, 64, said of the electrifying performance.
Economics student Eva Yanakieva described the rare, top-notch concert as "breathtaking".
In this part of Bulgaria -- the European Union's poorest member state -- more than 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.
It is precisely this "contrast" between his native country and his adopted home in the UK that energises Vassilev.
Bulgaria, where he indulges in local specialities like banitsa and boza (a savoury pastry dish and a malt drink), "has never left his mind".
- All genres of music' -
Three decades ago, aged just 23, Vassilev became the youngest leader and first ever concertmaster at London's prestigious Royal Opera House (ROH).
Himself the son of musicians, the violinist is now the opera house's creative producer.
When he learned he had been appointed concertmaster at King Charles III's coronation, he was "particularly proud as a naturalised British citizen".
"By taking part in this sumptuous spectacle -- which only happens once or twice in 100 years -- we have become an integral part of history," he told AFP of the royal ceremony on May 6.
But Vassilev would not have missed the tour through rural Bulgaria for the world, despite the stress of starting straight after the regal pageant at Westminster.
Besides, the Bulgaria concerts were planned "long before the coronation", when Queen Elizabeth II was still alive, he added.
The coronation "was squeezed in before the town of Vratsa", where the tour began.
Vassilev dislikes to be pigeonholed as a classical musician, playing "whatever he likes", from Bach to flamenco, and Paganini to tango.
"It's important to be able to interpret all genres. Even Mozart played popular music," he said.
Direct from Bulgaria, Vassilev has already moved on to Tokyo to tour with London's Royal Ballet.
"We musicians are a nomadic tribe, always on the move."
V.Dantas--PC