site.btaPernik Mayor Meets Foreign Guests at Surva Festival

Pernik Mayor Stanislav Vladimirov on Saturday met with delegations from twin cities, the board of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC) and the heads of the foreign masquerade groups participating in the 31st International Festival of Masquerade Games Surva 2025. 

Surva is developing and you can see that more and more participants are applying to present their customs and traditions here in Pernik. Our groups live with Surva. They devote much of their time, much of their soul to make these colourful masks," said Mayor Stanislav Vladimirov and chairman of the organizing committee of the Surva festival, in his remarks. He thanked his team for their diligence and great desire to make the festival even bigger. Vladimirov also offered his admiration to the foreign groups because, in his words, the increase in their number makes Surva a more specific, colourful and significant celebration.

The Mayor said that the Surova custom is recognized by UNESCO, and since Friday the city was also declared a global center of masquerade traditions, which is a great recognition for the joint work of the local administration and volunteers.

"I was in Pernik for the first time 25 years ago. With every visit I see the growth of the festival. The improvement from last year is really impressive. Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful opening and today we continue to enjoy the tradition," said FECG President Lars Algell. He highlighted the good partnership established between the organization's board and the Municipality of Pernik.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Pernik joining FECG, the Mayor received a plaque.