Petar Georgiev-Kalica

Petar Georgiev-Kalica (Macedonian: Петар Георгиев-Калица, born November 19, 1951 in Bitola) is a Macedonian composer and songwriter. He had first contacts with music in Secondary music school in Bitola. During his music education he was a member of many music bands in his native town Bitola. His first major success was in 1989 when he participated in the Macedonian music festival Valandovo as a songwriter of the song "Ako odam vo Bitola" ("If I go to Bitola"), performed by Oktet Makedonija. With this song he won the third place from the jury. This song is one of the most famous songs ever written about the town of Bitola and the lyrics are about Bitola's old traditions. "Ako odam vo Bitola" is used in making many documentaries and music events dedicated to Bitola. Taking into consideration the fact that this song is still popular, cover of this song was made by the most famous Macedonian music star Toše Proeski on his ethnic album "Božilak" ("Rainbow"). This cover was in different style from the original song, but it was well accepted from the audience.

In 1989 he achieved another great music success on the most famous Macedonian pop festival MakFest, where he participated as a songwriter of the smash Macedonian hit "Letaj mi letaj gulabe" ("Fly, my dove") performed by the famous Croatian singer Krunoslav "Kićo" Slabinac. This song won the second place, missing the first place for only one vote from the audience. However, he won the prize for best lyrics for this song. Although this song didn't win, it is still popular in the Balkans.

In 1991, he wrote maybe his most famous song "Stariot džumbušlija" performed by the famous Serbian folk singer Ana Bekuta, on the Valandovo festival. The song was ranked 4th missing the 3rd place for 3 votes. This was a smash hit in the Republic of Macedonia winning the prize for most listened song from the audience next year.

The same year, he took part on MakFest as a composer of the song "Rozite pak se tazni" ("Roses are still sad") performed by Slovenian singer Simona Weiss. As a songwriter he participated twice on Skopje Fest, a festival that has been used as Macedonian national selection for Eurovision Song Contest:

• 1998, "Son" ("Dream"), performed by Monika Sokolovska.
• 2000, "Dali ti si ova nebo" ("Are you this heaven"), performed by Marjan Stojanoski.

Throughout his career, he is best recognized as a songwriter of traditional folk songs, where the basic inspiration is Bitola, his native town. U.S. flute and guitar duo "Alma Nova" covered his song "Ako odam vo Bitola" on their album "After hours",with title "Bitola", recorded February,2009.

References

External links

• Utrinski vesnik (Macedonian)
• Stariot džumbušlija on YouTube
• Ako odam vo Bitola on YouTube
• Letaj mi letaj gulabe on YouTube