The Pazardzik Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce the First Georgi Atanasov Prize for orchestra conductors to be held in Pazardzik during the month of May 2026.

While celebrating the name of one of the outstanding Bulgarian composer and conductor of the last century - Maestro Georgi Atanasov - we are glad to offer a brand new unique opportunity for emerging orchestra conductors worldwide.

The format of this contest is absolutely innovative (see the regualtions page) and gives the chance to the candidates conductors to perform/rehearse with our orchestra immediately during the evaluation round (without prior selections based on videos)

Our orchestra will be active part of the Jury and will evaluate the performances of the candidates together with a Jury of internationally renowned conductors.

And last but not least, PSO is proud to offer prize concerts in the next seasons to the winners (there is also a prize for the best young conductor) and to the special awarded candidates.