President Georgi Purvanov awarded the world-famous Bulgarian jazz virtuoso Milcho Leviev the SS Kiril i Metodii (SS Cyril and Methodius) order.

Purvanov said he was exceptionally excited to complete his constitutional duty by awarding Milcho Leviev, "one of the most famous names in contemporary Bulgarian music".
 
"Leviev is a man who makes his mark not only in Bulgaria, but also popularises Bulgarian music and culture abroad in a most exceptional way," Purvanov said, as quoted by Focus news agency. "Bulgaria is proud to have such contemporaries."

Leviev is an award-winning composer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist, conductor and educator of classical and jazz music. He was also awarded the Order of Stara Planina in 1997. The Order of SS Kiril i Metodii is awarded to Bulgarian or foreign citizens who have contributed exceptionally to the development of Bulgarian culture, art, education and science.