Today we have the pleasure to interview our new friend Alexander Tarev Linares, the Vocalist of Mango Duende.
Alex Linares’ name is associated more with Latin music. Through his charisma, the singer skillfully draws the audience in the diversity of Latin music. And today we will get to know him in more in depth.
Name and nationality:
Alexander Tarev Linares, double nationality, Peruvian and Bulgarian.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do
My story is a bit different than the normal expat one since I have double nationality (Peruvian and Bulgarian), my mother is Peruvian and my father Bulgarian.
I was born in Rostov, Russia, where my parents were living at that time, after with y family we live in different countries, including Bulgaria and the USA, but most of my childhood and teenage years I spend them with my family in Lima, Peru.
Why and when did you come to Bulgaria?
When I finished school, I decided to be independent, and I choose to move to Bulgaria.
Prepare my luggage and move back to Sofia to study medicine at the university, later I become a psychiatrist, but in my blood was always the desire to be a musician, and in 2008 we formed Mango Duende, where I’m the lead singer, and so far I don’t regret it.
What are some differences between your country and Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has a better economic situation than Peru since Bulgaria is part of the European Union.
On the social aspect, there is more balance in Bulgaria between the community, in Peru, we have lots of inequality in the distribution of the wealth, and the reality of Lima (a big and modern city) don’t show the truth of the whole country.
What do you like about Bulgaria?
I like that’s easy to move around the country, and that with our band we can perform in different places and get to know the whole the area very well, I love Bulgarian nature!
What was the most difficult bureaucratic procedure you have undergone so far in Bulgaria?
Since I have lived in many countries I have experienced problems with the bureaucracy many times, and I think is normal, and you have to accept, if you decide to move around the world, always it will be some moment when the bureaucracy will catch you.
Mention one crucial experience you’ve had in Bulgaria :
I have passed most of my adulthood in Bulgaria, here I fall in love, and here I have been able to develop my career as a musician, I’m very thankful to Bulgaria and the opportunities that I got here.
What languages do you speak other than your mother tongue?
I speak Bulgarian, Spanish, English and a bit of Russian from my childhood, but unfortunately I’m losing it.
Which other countries have you been?
the last years, doing my work I have the opportunity to travel mainly in Europe, Czech Republic, UK, Spain, Germany, and many other beautiful places, you can move all your life around Europe, and you will found new beautiful places
How is your business going?
With Mango Duende, have been 10 years very productive, at the beginning in Bulgaria wasn’t almost nobody doing salsa, we and our friend Kalin Belov with Tumbaito, we create this movement in Bulgaria, of course together with our Cuban friends like Irenia Vazquez and Dolores.
With Mango Duende we also released an album called “Cada Noche” and I also have other projects more personal that goes a bit closer to my own musical taste
What advice would you give to other people who would like to come to live in Bulgaria?
be open-minded, that’s my most important advice, be open to the changes and cultural differences, Bulgaria is not different from America latina only, but also from the rest of Europe
Thank you, Alex, for taking the time and talking with Foreigner BG, we wish you all the best and success and we hope to see you again soon in Varna!
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