Mona (Mona) is one of the fastest-rising names on the Bulgarian scene, and on August 28 she performs at Maimunarnika in Sofia - the open-air stage in Borisova Garden that fills up in summer for concerts under the open sky. For a singer who only a few years ago was a teenager on a TV competition, this is confirmation that she has entered the top league.

Born Simona Petrova in Kyustendil in 2004, Mona caught the public's attention through Bulgaria's Got Talent, where she won the golden buzzer. From there her career took off with a recognizable approach - a blend of Bulgarian folklore motifs with a contemporary pop sound. It is exactly that blend that sets her apart from standard pop production in the region.

Her portfolio is already impressive for her age. Mona is the voice behind the official soundtrack of the film Avatar: The Way of Water and behind the music in the popular video game Mortal Kombat, while her duet Male with Robby sat at the top of the Bulgarian national radio chart for six weeks straight. In 2025 she was named Woman of the Year in the music category by Grazia magazine.

The concert at Maimunarnika is her solo show at one of the most sought-after summer stages in Sofia, in a setting that suits the folklore-pop aesthetic. The show starts at 9 p.m., with tickets running around 41 leva, available through bilet.bg. For a Balkan listener who wants to see where new Bulgarian pop music is heading, Mona is a good starting point.