Svilengrad has awarded its Honorary Badge to the "Kostadin Manov" brass band on the band's 70th anniversary, the municipality said. At an anniversary concert in the hall of the Prosveta 1870 chitalishte, conductor Vasil Vasilev received the badge from mayor Anastas Karchev, an architect.

The municipal council voted unanimously for the award, on the mayor's proposal. The municipality also gave the band a cash prize for the anniversary but has not said how much.

The band was honoured for its contribution to Bulgarian music, for keeping brass music alive and promoting it, for the good name it brings Svilengrad, and for training new generations of musicians.

"Today we mark seven decades of history filled with music, inspiration, hard work and many successes," Karchev said. He called the badge the municipality's highest honour and the anniversary a reason for well-earned pride and recognition. The mayor wished the band continued success in enriching the town's cultural life and bringing its people together.

Guest musicians and singers also performed, among them Svilengrad singer Nadya Kazakova. On stage, they paid tribute to the band's founders and showed how music passes from one generation of musicians to the next.

The concert drew municipal leaders and councillors, representatives of the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers, band conductors from around Bulgaria and guests from the branch of the chitalishte in Edirne, Turkey. Former band members and local residents also came.

The band was founded in 1956 at the Prosveta 1870 chitalishte under the name "Granichar" (Border Guard). It later took the name of its longtime conductor and inspiration, Kostadin Manov.

Its repertoire includes traditional brass music, marches, horo dances, classical, film and rock music, and modern arrangements. The musicians have played at international festivals and cultural events in the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, Turkey and other countries.

The band also runs a brass band for children and young people. Its musicians take part in public and charity causes. For many years they have joined the "One Child More" initiative, which supports families with fertility problems and is run with the "I Want a Baby" foundation.

The municipality says the band is one of the few amateur bands in southern Bulgaria with such a long history and such major professional successes. It says the badge honours the current line-up and the generations of musicians, conductors and leaders who have kept the tradition alive for 70 years and represented the town at home and abroad.

Vasilev has conducted the band for many years and holds the Culture Ministry's "Golden Age" award for his contribution to Bulgarian culture. Under his leadership, the band has updated and widened its repertoire, brought in young players and carried on the traditions of brass music.

The band holds the title "Representative Brass Band of the Republic of Bulgaria" and the "Golden Lyre" award of the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers. It has won many medals, certificates and prizes at national and international contests. The same union also gave it the special "Crystal Necklace" award for its body of work and its contribution to Bulgarian music and dance.