July 8, 2026


What a day!


We started our Wednesday with a little sightseeing in Sofia – we had a walking tour of Sofia led by our amazing tour guide, Marina – she’s with us throughout Bulgaria, and a wealth of knowledge. We explored sites including the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevski – an ornate and important center of the Orthodox church  – and Bulgaria’s Eternal Flame. We learned fascinating facts – for instance, did you know that although Bulgaria was a member of the Axis during World War II, it refused to hand over its Jewish population to the Germans? It saved 47,000 Jewish people, most of whom later emigrated to Israel.


Then it was back on the bus for a short ride to the Vitosha Mountains, which are more than 9,000 feet above sea level. They’re the highest mountains in Bulgaria. We didn’t have time for a long hike, but we made the most of our time, heading to a spot with knockout views of the city below, and climbing some rocks with a stream flowing underneath. There are 10 bears left in the mountains, but we saw zero. Thankfully! (We did see an adorable Bulgarian Shepherd dog with its owner and a stray cat, slightly less panic-inducing than a bear!)




After spending time in nature, we jumped back on the bus and headed back to Sofia where we again hit the pedestrian street with its ample food opportunities. There’s lot of Greek food in Sofia – Greece is just to the south of Bulgaria – and some of the boys are new converts to Greek food!


After lunch, we headed to the Military Club, a hub of cultural and artistic performances in Sofia, where we rehearsed before heading out for a quick group dinner at an Italian restaurant. Then it was showtime – a joint concert with our boys and the Sofia Boys Choir. The grand hall was packed – there was not a single seat left, and some folks were standing. A number of important Sofia citizens were there, heaping praise on the choirs (I think? I don’t speak Bulgarian but there was a lot of clapping and smiling.) Those who spoke in English thanked our choir for its contributions to diplomacy and the arts. Mr. Smith was among a group of dignitaries who received awards.


The Sofia boys were fantastic – and it was interesting to see the differences in their uniforms and ours. Their choir’s singers wear navy jackets and shorts with high white knee socks and white shirts with a frilled collar; their older boys wear white shirts, gray pants and gray bow ties. Their voices were very strong and their songs lovely – they closed their set with the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” and Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.”


Then came what I think will be a highlight of this trip – our boys’ set. Later, Mr. Smith said he thought it was the best first concert of any tour he’s been on. The crowd was enchanted, and when our guys sang “Holy” in Bulgarian, the audience began clapping as soon as the first Bulgarian word was spoken! (Props to chorale member Will Mendez for learning the closing prayer in Bulgarian – not an easy feat!) The kids got multiple standing ovations, and I wasn’t sure the clapping would ever end. The concert was highly anticipated – Sofia conductor Alexander Mitev appeared on a local radio show before the concert to promote it, and one local news outlet called it “one of the most significant international choir events of this summer.” I don’t want to brag, but I have to tell you – the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale is pretty big in Bulgaria.


The joint Sofia-Philadelphia set – Shenandoah conducted by Mr. Smith, and two songs in Bulgarian conducted by the Sofia maestro – was moving, and ended the concert beautifully. Some of our boys greeted audience members as they left, and some folks were so starstruck they asked for photos with our kids.


Tomorrow, we leave our hotel and head to a water park. The excitement is palpable!