Who They Are
The Bisserov Sisters are a renowned Bulgarian folk family known for preserving the authentic sound of the Pirin region. The formation includes Mitra, Lyubimka, Vera, Rositsa, and Rosen.
Lyubimka, Mitra and Neda were born in the village of Pirin. Vera and Rositsa, Mitra’s daughters, were born in Sofia. The family grew up surrounded by traditional music and performed the Pirin singing style at local celebrations. Their vocal skills were passed naturally from mothers to daughters.
Formations Through the Years
Over the decades, the Bisserov family has performed in various formations — duets, trios, quartets, and full ensemble. These formations reflect different artistic periods and can also be assembled upon request for concerts, festivals, workshops, and cultural events.
Musical Education & Early Development
Lyubimka, Neda and Mitra refined their vocal technique as leading singers in the National Folk Ensemble “Philip Kutev”, where they performed for more than fifteen years. Rosen also worked in the ensemble as a drummer.
Vera and Rositsa studied Folk Arts at New Bulgarian University. They continued learning traditional singing and instruments under the guidance of Mitra and Lyubimka. All three—Vera, Rositsa, and Rosen—began studying music at specialized schools at the age of eight.
Repertoire & Style
The repertoire of The Bisserov Sisters highlights the most distinctive features of the Pirin folk dialect:
- Strong and expressive vocal timbre
- Rich metrorhythmic patterns
- Ornamented and emotional performance
- Themes inspired by rituals, weddings, folktales, work, family, and tradition
They are well known for performing Pirin’s unique diphthong songs. Their work reflects the depth of Bulgarian polyphony. Each sister can sing lead, adding depth and variety to their sound.
Polyphonic Singing
The formation performs traditional Bulgarian polyphony, a hallmark of the Pirin vocal tradition.
Their arrangements remain faithful to the original songs while enriching them with a deep, resonant, and powerful multi‑voice sound.
Each voice carries its own line yet blends seamlessly into the whole, creating the characteristic harmonic texture that defines their artistic identity.
International Recognition
The sisters Lyubimka, Neda, and Mitra made their official debut in 1978 at the 11th World Festival in Cuba, where they won first prize in the competition.
Their early performances led to invitations to major international events. In 1994, they represented Bulgaria in Copenhagen, the European Capital of Culture.
The Bisserov Sisters have toured Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, Italy, the UK, Japan, Singapore, Australia, the USA, and many other countries. With more than 350 recorded songs and contributions to the Golden Fund of the Bulgarian National Radio and Television, their artistic legacy is significant.
Cultural Impact & Awards
- Featured in the Bulgarian music textbook for 12-year-old students
- Honored with the Golden Lyre by the Union of Bulgarian Professional Musicians and Composers
Stage Performances & Workshops
They present authentic wedding scenes and traditional rituals, preserving the sound of Pirin folklore. Their workshops include:
The Bisserov Family – Young Generation
The young generation includes Vera, Rositsa, Rosen, and Mitra. Vera and Rositsa began learning tambura as children and later graduated from New Bulgarian University.
Rosen is a drummer and vocalist. Together with Mitra, he performed in the Bulgarian National State Folk Ensemble. Mitra is the composer and manager of the group and performs alongside them.
The young Bisserovs have appeared on stage for more than twenty years in both large ensembles and individual concerts.