It was established in 1997. It is the longest running competition in Bulgaria. The organizers are the Community center „Bratstvo 1869″ and the Municipality of Kyustendil. Art director and founder: Ivan Andonov.
The competition is held annually in the first half of April, within the framework of cultural holidays in the city “Kyustendil spring”. No cash entry fee is required for the competition. Children, performers and orchestras from all countries of the Balkans, Europe, Asia, North and South America participate in it.
Participants are divided into eight age groups and divisions. Every year, along with the traditional prizes /diploma, monetary and material prizes/, the winners of the competition are awarded prizes from the National Assembly, the Union of Composers in Bulgaria, the Association of Guitarists in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Culture – three one-year scholarships and six one-time financial grants are awarded.
During the three festival days lectures, talks, master classes and concerts of guests from the country and abroad are held, which attract attention and are visited by over 4,000 residents and guests of Kyustendil.
Gradually, over the years, the forum received well-deserved recognition, both in the country and abroad. Information about competition appears in elite Bulgarian, English, German, Polish, Czech, Serbian, Russian, Ukrainian, Macedonian and other music magazines.