Balkania Fanzine Issue #1, On Sale May 5th
www.balkania-fanzine.com Balkania Fanzine is not just a magazine— it’s an introduction to the biggest phenomenon you’ve never heard of.  Since the fall of socialism in Bulgaria the popular music culture of choice has been Chalga, or “Pop-Folk.” A mixture of traditional Bulgarian folk music, Gipsy, or Roma elements, Turkish kuchek dance beats and modern electronic production.
 The undeniable king of Chalga is Azis. His appearance in the scene 10 years ago transformed the industry, radicalizing and scandalizing the Bulgarian media. What better place to start for our innagural issue than Balkania’s reigning, controversial, gender-bending, prolific, gay, gypsy, millionaire megastar?
www.balkania-fanzine.com Poster for Balkania Fanzine Issue 1 One in a series of fake magazine covers showing Azis chameleon-like personal, an attempt to turbo-charge an image with shareability.

Interview with Azis
The titan of pop-folk on image, controversy & international fame.
Originally published in Balkania Fanzine #1

Balkania Fanzine: Hi Azis, thank you for taking time to speak with us. Could you start off by telling us: what’s the best thing about being Azis and what’s the most difficult?

Azis: I like to shock and at the same time to feel the adoration in the eyes of the people. I like the feeling when I see them startled and confused from the fact that they have denied people like me their whole lives and now they stand in front of me revering me and trembling. I change people, destinies, taboos! So far I have no difficulties doing all that. I don’t encounter any, indeed. I just have fun with the fake morality of the Bulgarians.

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