BBC: Only Qualified Musicians Allowed to Plovdiv's Main Street

The recent decision of authorities in Bulgaria's second largest city Plovdiv to allow only qualified musicians to play on its main street, appeared in an article of the BBC on Thursday.

According to the provision, musicians will need to be in a possession of a music education diploma in order to be allowed to play there.

Authorities had justified their decision with the choice of Plovdiv as European Capital of Culture for 2019.

The idea was borrowed from other cities, such as Madrid, where authorities introduced an audition process for street musicians in 2013.

Although musicians in Mardid have to appear in front of a jury before they are granted a licence, they are not required to have an official qualification.

Following a decision of the council, Plovdiv was divided into three zones, with the Old Town and main shopping street open only to qualified musicians.

The second zone is accessible to musicians without diplomas, but who have performed at musical events or competitions.

This leaves everyone else, who wants to be able to play on the streets, with the task of finding a spot elsewhere in the city.

According to the public policy chief of the council, the requirements are not strict and this measure will ensure that the level of musicians is good enough to entertain the locals and the tourists.

Plovdiv was chosen as 2019 European Capital of Culture in September 2014 in competition with three other Bulgarian cities – Veliko Tarnovo, Varna and Sofia.

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