Opera singer Ilia Yosifov was born in Kotel. He graduated law, followed by the Vocal Department of the State Music Academy and the Vienna Music School. Artist-tenor and director of the Sofia People's Opera. There are significant achievements in the roles of Lensky - "Evgeny Oegin", Tchaikovsky, Rudolph - "Bohemi", Puccini, Faust - Faust, Gunno and others. His students are R. Kabaivanska, Bl. Karnobatlieva, P. Gerdzhikov and others.