Ten years after it was formed, Bulgarian band Lot Lorien is celebrating the first Greek release of its music on April 7. Its songs are part of a compilation album of 15 songs from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Serbia and Turkey entitled Balkan Routes part I – Nikola Tesla.

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a Croatian-born Serbian physicist, mechanical engineer and electrical engineer who had more than 700 inventions to his name; he later gained American citizenship. The album is dedicated to him for his sensitivity and unlocking of many of the mysteries of nature, like the induction motor, Tesla turbines, the dynamic theory of gravity and concepts for electric vehicles.

The band’s contribution in Balkan Routes includes participation alongside Teodosii Spassov, Roman Stolyar and Nona Yotova. They chose to contribute the song Стоян си конче изведе/Stoyan Led His Horse.

Lot Lorien writes its own music, along with interpreting traditional songs based on Bulgarian, Balkan, Hebrew, Celtic and world folk music, with progressive and jazz elements. Its name was inspired by the writings of JRR Tolkien. Since it was founded by Kiril Georgiev and Zlatomir Vulchev in 1998, the group has given more than 250 concerts and has participated in festivals in 19 countries, a news released issued by the band said.

On April 10, Lot Lorien will be performing at the Czech Cultural Centre in Sofia from 9pm as part of the centre’s Orange Thursdays in the Lilac Salon programme.