Kostadin Varimezov

A former shepherd and farmer, Kostadin Varimezov became a nationally recognized musician during the rise of the Bulgarian Communist Party in the late 1940's, shortly after World War II. A talented and intuitive gaidari, Kostadin did not receive any formal training for the gaida (Bulgarian bagpipe) until late in his life. Despite his informal background, Varimezov quickly learned to read notation and play with the Radio Sofia Orchestra in Communist conservatories and universities. Much of his life and professional experience is chronicled in Timothy Rice's ethnography, "May It Fill Your Soul." Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.