Kostadin Varimezov

File:Kostadin Varimezov playing the gaida.jpg

Kostadin Varimezov ({{langx|bg|Костадин Варимезов}}) (1918-2002) was among the best-known Bulgarian bagpipers (gaidari).{{Cite book |last=Bousfield |first=Jonathan |url=http://archive.org/details/bulgariaroughgui0000bous |title=Bulgaria: The Rough Guide |publisher=Rough Guides |year=1993 |isbn=978-1-85828-047-9 |location=London |pages=329}} He was born in the village of Rosenovo, Burgas Province. In 1954, he was appointed to the Folk Song Ensemble of Radio Bulgaria. He retired from the ensemble in 1978, and with his wife Todora, established a rural residence where they entertained friends and family with music as a central feature.{{Cite book |last=Rice |first=Timothy |url=https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/M/bo3633856.html |title=May It Fill Your Soul |chapter=11. Kostadin and Todora at Home|publisher=The University of Chicago Press |year=1994 |isbn=0-226-71121-8 |location=Chicago |pages=287 |language=English}} He toured with the band Balkana, composed of the singers of Trio Bulgarka and several other musicians,{{Cite news |last=Kelp |first=Larry |date=May 9, 1989 |title=Haunting the House: Bulgarians Wow a Crowd |pages=38 |work=The Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/779402833/?match=1&clipping_id=135751358}}{{Cite news |last=Elder |first=Bruce |date=24 Mar 1992 |title=Angels to Quick-Change Artists |pages=14 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-review-of-balk/135751936/}} in more than 30 countries.