https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/rss Wed, 10 Jun 2026 06:33:09 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143694-forum-highlights-challenges-and-prospects-of-dual-education-in-bulgaria https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143694-forum-highlights-challenges-and-prospects-of-dual-education-in-bulgaria Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:20:00 +0300 During the forum "Vocational and Dual: EDUCATION+" that took place on Tuesday, Polina Zlatarska, chief expert and manager of the DOMINO 2 project at the Ministry of Education and Science, said that there are approximately 11,000 students enrolled in dual education programmes in Bulgaria and 720 participating employers. The forum was organized by the business magazine BGlobal and the news and analysis website Mediapool.bg. Based on the number of contracts in the 11th and 12th grades, the top 10 occupations in dual education are electrical engineer, transportation equipment technician, mechatronics, economist, mechanical technician, energy facilities and installations technician, woodworking technician, restaurant manager, and computer systems technician. These fields have the highest personnel shortages, Zlatarska said. This is the second time a forum has been organized by the two media outlets, after the DOMINO programme was presented in 2025, building on the achievements of the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme for the introduction of dual-track principles in the Bulgarian vocational education system. Bulgaria and Switzerland have been cooperating on dual education for more than ten years. This education system has been extremely successfully developed in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, Zlatarska added. Dual education is strongly oriented toward the local economy, and companies play a leading role in determining what and how students learn. Businesses participate in the entire dual education process, as the duration of the training is also an important aspect, Zlatarska said. The main problem companies face with this form of education in Bulgaria is that they train the students, after which the trainees leave. Zlatarska continued that the duration of the programmes matter. The longer the company provides training, the greater the return on investment. In terms of development and regulation, Romania and Serbia are slightly behind us, the project manager added. Prof. Eng. Senya Terzieva-Zhelyazkova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, said at the forum: "It is with great pleasure that I join you as a representative of the Education Ministry to greet the participants in the forum, because vocational education is my life's path and my mission. I studied at a technical school for industrial chemistry, then I graduated with a degree in engineering and attended the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, where I served as rector. "As Deputy Minister, I will be responsible for vocational and higher education, and I hope that we will succeed in achieving what society expects of us."  Zhelyazkova said that there is a lack of investment in some regions because there is a shortage of personnel. Personnel are leaving because there is no investment, and thus creating a vicious cycle, which makes any discussion in the field of vocational education timely and even overdue. "I hope that today we will hear about many good practices, but also many problems," she added. The Deputy Minister expressed confidence that today's discussion would help identify key points to be conveyed to the Vocational Education and Training Directorate and to all those involved in dual education, with prospects for establishing dual higher education. The forum also featured a discussion on the topic How to Attract Interest in Vocational Education and Dual Training, moderated by Gergana Rakovska, Executive Director of the Business Foundation for Education. Adriana Dacheva spoke about Metro Bulgaria's experience with dual training and its visits to schools. "We have 116 students who have graduated through our programme, and schools invite us to meet with students during Open Doors school events," Dacheva said. The conference also featured presentations on the experiences of vocational high schools and companies collaborating on dual education in Bulgaria. Dr. Eleonora Lilova, head of the Regional Education Directorate - Sofia City, also participated in the event. Culture Kristina Ivanova Dimitrina Vetova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143680-three-short-documentaries-about-young-roma-leaders-produced-as-part-of-eu-funded https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143680-three-short-documentaries-about-young-roma-leaders-produced-as-part-of-eu-funded Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:08:00 +0300 The Roma World – 21st Century Foundation Tuesday presented three short documentary films telling the stories of young Roma community leaders. The films, produced as part of the Values Without Borders project funded by the Integro Association, focus on civic engagement and European values. The premiere screenings took place at BTA's National Press Club during a roundtable discussion titled “From Anger to Action: Participation, Dignity, and Civic Change.” Created by Kremena Budinova, the documentaries portray active citizens, young leaders, and professionals from the Roma community. The films explore themes such as education, volunteering, justice, overcoming prejudice, and equality. “My goal as an artist has always been, and always will be, to tell the stories of people who may appear ordinary at first glance but possess extraordinary souls and hearts,” Budinova said. Project manager Tsvetelina Stoyanova said that the organization was founded in 1997 with the primary mission of providing moral support to people from vulnerable social groups. The films will be shown on Bulgarian National Television and promoted through social media channels. Accompanying educational resources for teachers will also be developed to facilitate their use in schools, the organization said. The project is funded by the European Union and co-financed by the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future. It provides financial support and capacity-building opportunities for Roma and pro-Roma civil society organizations working to promote the EU’s fundamental rights and values, while also advancing the social inclusion of Roma communities. Culture BTA Intern Aleksandrina Borisova Yoana Vodenicharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143526-mission-gallery-presents-exhibition-featuring-works-by-brazilian-artists https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143526-mission-gallery-presents-exhibition-featuring-works-by-brazilian-artists Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:05:51 +0300 The exhibition Beyond the Surface, part of the international programme of Sofia Paper Art Fest 2026, will open on June 15 at Mission Gallery in Sofia, the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday. The exhibition is part of the Bulgaria-Brazil Art Project and will be on display until August 31. The exhibition is organised by the State Cultural Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Bulgaria and the Amateras Foundation. The official opening will be conducted by Brazil's Ambassador to Bulgaria Paulo Roberto Campos Tarrisse da Fontoura, the organisers noted. According to the organisers, the exhibition presents contemporary artistic practices from Brazil focused on themes of memory, identity, cultural layers and the invisible connections between people, nature and society. The title Beyond the Surface places emphasis on processes that remain hidden behind what is visible - personal and collective memory, the transformation of matter, and art's ability to reveal deeper layers of human experience. The organisers said that the project creates a space for encounters between different cultural traditions, artistic practices and contemporary interpretations of the world. The exhibition is part of a cultural exchange programme between Bulgaria and Brazil developed since 2016 at the initiative of the Amateras Foundation, Elora Studio and partner organisations from both countries. Following an interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative was resumed in 2025 with events in Sao Paulo and continues through exhibitions, artist residencies, educational programmes and professional exchanges. The project is curated by Daniela Todorova, Angela Barbour and Eliana Anghinah. Participating artists include Andrea Barbour, Angela Barbour, Catharina Suleiman, Cildo Oliveira, Eliana Anghinah, Jacqueline Aronis, Luciane Kunde, Mario Fiore and Nineta Rabner. A special highlight of the opening evening will be the performance Corpo Presente (Present Body) by Andrea Barbour. Following the performance, an installation composed of images, organic materials and fragments collected during the event will remain in the gallery. Six of the participating Brazilian artists will attend the opening. Following the exhibition presentation, they will take part in an artist residency in the town of Levski from June 17 to 23. The programme includes an exhibition, meetings with the public, educational activities, workshops and a new artistic performance. According to the organisers, one of the initiative's main goals is to build a sustainable international network for contemporary art between Bulgaria and Brazil. Future editions envisage the inclusion of new artists, institutions and venues, as well as the development of new forms of professional and cultural cooperation. The exhibition is part of the programme of Sofia Paper Art Fest 2026, organised by the Amateras Foundation with the support of Sofia Municipality, the Ministry of Culture, international cultural institutes, diplomatic missions and partner organisations from Bulgaria and abroad, the organisers added. Culture Momchil Rusev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143367-art-students-from-milan-explore-cultural-dialogue-at-art-residency-in-shiroka-la https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143367-art-students-from-milan-explore-cultural-dialogue-at-art-residency-in-shiroka-la Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:21:00 +0300 A group of students and visual artists from a university in Milan took part in an art workshop in the village of Shiroka Laka (Southern Bulgaria), Vasil Sharkov, organizer of the Tikla Residency, told BTA on Monday. The Rhodope village, renowned for preserving its century-old architecture, serves not only as a retreat for practitioners of conceptual art but also as the setting for an art residency aiming to bring together and integrate people from different countries into the cultural life of the village. “The goal is to examine this blend of diverse contexts and to observe how local people respond to contemporary art that extends beyond the boundaries of the traditional,” Sharkov emphasized, adding that the project's concept is to explore the dialogue between different cultures. “Shiroka Laka is a very interesting place. It is remarkable how vibrant the culture remains here and how important it is to preserve it,” said Kata Madar, a participant from Budapest, who commented that she did not grow up surrounded by such a strong cultural heritage. “I have always been interested in traveling and discovering other cultures,” Madar noted, adding that she is developing an installation project using tree branches. The artists of the Tikla Residency created their projects amid the beautiful landscapes of the Rhodope Mountains and along the village’s cobblestone streets. Immersion in this new cultural environment included learning about local traditions, crafts, and folklore. Visual artist Marta Manolova emphasized that she felt excited by the nearly forgotten craft of wool felting. Using tools dating back more than a century, Marta started creating a project from felted wool, which she will further decorate and paint. YuTao Guo, an artist from China, told BTA how he felt inspired by the local legend of the maiden Kana and the rock formation known as “Momata” (“The Maiden”). The painting he began during the art workshop draws on the story of a young woman who prayed to God to turn her into stone in order to be saved from Turkification and forced conversion to Islam during the Ottoman period.  The works created at the Tikla Residency are expected to be presented as part of installations and conceptual events. The visual artists plan to showcase their creations in public spaces throughout the village, in nature, and in the surrounding forests. “The project was born from the idea of exploring an alternative way of exhibiting art in a rural environment,” Sharkov noted. The Tikla Residency is part of a broader project in which students combine artistic practice with research into the dialogue between different cultures. Shiroka Laka is a picturesque mountain village in the Rhodope Mountains of Southern Bulgaria, renowned for its remarkably preserved traditional architecture. Its stone houses, narrow cobbled streets, and iconic arched bridges reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. The village is also a center of Bulgarian folklore and music, home to the National School of Folk Arts. Its unique blend of history, tradition, and natural beauty has made it one of Bulgaria’s most celebrated cultural destinations. Culture Hristina Georgieva Filip Pavlov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143245-over-200-works-by-40-italian-artists-to-be-displayed-at-union-of-bulgarian-artis https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143245-over-200-works-by-40-italian-artists-to-be-displayed-at-union-of-bulgarian-artis Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:13:56 +0300 Over 200 works by 40 Italian artists from the collection of Georgi Zabchev and Vanya Zabcheva and their partners in collecting art, Luigi Martini and his daughter Monnalisa Martini, will be displayed in the exhibition Italian Art Under the Tiles. 20th-21st Century. Zabchev Collection. The exhibition opens on Tuesday at the gallery of the Union of Bulgarian Artists, the hosts said. The exhibition presents one of the richest private collections of Italian art, created thanks to the long-standing friendship between Ravenna-born Luigi Martini and Georgi Zabchev from Kovachevitsa. According to the organizers, the project is an example of cultural exchange carried out not only through institutions but also through personal contacts and a shared passion for collecting. The exhibition is arranged in three thematic spaces with a display design specially created for the event. In the first hall, visitors will see works by artists including Giorgio de Chirico, Renato Guttuso, Renzo Vespignani, Asen Peikov and Boris Georgiev. The second hall is dedicated to figurative art and includes works by Mario Sironi, Lucio Fontana, Giacomo Manzu, Zoran Music and other representatives of figurative painting from the 1940s to the early 21st century. The third hall presents abstract art through works by Enrico Accatino, Vasco Bendini, Gio Pomodoro, Emilio Scanavino, Guido Strazza and Emilio Vedova. The selection traces the development of abstract trends in Italy, from Surrealist influences in the 1930s to post-war Art Informel and freer artistic forms. The exhibition is curated by Corresponding Member Aksinia Dzhurova and Luigi Martini. The two are also the authors of a three-volume publication dedicated to the Zabchevi Collection, published between 2023 and 2026. Culture Tatiana Marinova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143188-arts-media-promote-ice-continent-by-antarctic-echo-photo-exhibition https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143188-arts-media-promote-ice-continent-by-antarctic-echo-photo-exhibition Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:42:30 +0300 A photo exhibition by journalist Marina Velikova, titled "Antarctic Echo", opened in front of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) building here on Monday. The exhibition presents photographs taken during the three latest Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. It will remain on display until July 7. BNR Director General Milen Mitev, the President of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Prof. Christo Pimpirev, and BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, attended the opening. On behalf of BTA, Valchev congratulated Velikova and recalled that the agency has been posting its own correspondents to Antarctica for the past four years during the expeditions of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421), maintains a national press club on board the vessel and, thanks to Bulgarian Antarctic Institute head Prof. Christo Pimpirev, also has a presence at the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island. For his part, Prof. Christo Pimpirev stated that Velikova's stay in Antarctica has changed her professional career and has focused attention on people who work there. Pimpirev acknowledged the presence of members of different generations in the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions and the people who backed the mission throughout the years. He stressed the importance of the participation of artists and journalists in the Bulgarian expeditions. "Ours is probably one of the few expeditions that stake on art people and media people joining us on the Ice Continent. Without relaying what we feel to people who are unable to go there, without showing the faces of the people who make Bulgaria an Antarctic nation in those harsh conditions, we couldn't have made this achievement," the professor argued. Mitev said that the BNR has found a natural way to be present in Antarctica through the work of journalist Marina Velikova. He pointed out that although radio is traditionally associated with sound, modern media increasingly combine different forms of storytelling. The Director General linked the exhibition's theme to the human drive for exploration and the pushing of known boundaries and added that through Velikova, BNR had "set foot in Antarctica". Culture Atanas Malakchiev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143144-arts-media-key-in-promoting-bulgarian-antarctic-mission-prof-pimpirev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143144-arts-media-key-in-promoting-bulgarian-antarctic-mission-prof-pimpirev Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:56:46 +0300 "Arts and the media are essential for popularizing the Bulgarian Antarctic mission and for presenting the people behind this country's record of success on the Ice Continent," the President of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Prof. Christo Pimpirev, said here on Monday at the opening of a photo exhibition titled "Antarctic Echo" in front of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) building. In his words, the stay in Antarctica of the exhibition author, Marina Velikova, has changed her professional career and has focused attention on people who work there. Pimpirev acknowledged the presence of members of different generations in the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions and the people who backed the mission throughout the years. He stressed the importance of the participation of artists and journalists in the Bulgarian expeditions. "Ours is probably one of the few expeditions that stake on art people and media people joining us on the Ice Continent. Without relaying what we feel to people who are unable to go there, without showing the faces of the people who make Bulgaria an Antarctic nation in those harsh conditions, we couldn't have made this achievement," the professor argued. The Bulgarian Antarctic Institute President thanked the BNR, the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) for their efforts to popularize Bulgarian scientific pursuits in Antarctica. In his words, in recent years BTA has been playing a particularly important role in covering the Bulgarian expeditions and presenting them to the Bulgarian and international public. "Antarctica is humankind's future. It intertwines science, economy, geopolitics, and arts," Pimpirev pointed out. Winding up his remarks, he described the Antarctic community as one big family bringing together both expedition members and their kindred spirits and friends. "We are one big family. We are new Bulgaria," the professor said. The photo exhibition "Antarctic Echo" presents pictures taken during the three latest Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. It will be on display until July 7. Culture Lyubomir Gigov Vanya Suharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143136-bnr-finds-its-natural-presence-in-antarctica-through-journalist-marina-velikova- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143136-bnr-finds-its-natural-presence-in-antarctica-through-journalist-marina-velikova- Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:33:44 +0300 The Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) has found a natural way to be present in Antarctica through the work of journalist Marina Velikova, said BNR Director General Milen Mitev at the opening of the photo exhibition Antarctic Echo on Monday in front of the public broadcaster’s building. Mitev said he was pleased that, through Velikova, National Radio had “set foot in Antarctica”, noting that for three consecutive years she has taken part in Antarctic expeditions, recording sounds while also producing photographs, visuals and visual narratives. He pointed out that although radio is traditionally associated with sound, modern media increasingly combine different forms of storytelling. Mitev linked the exhibition’s theme to the human drive for exploration and the expansion of known boundaries. The Antarctic Echo exhibition presents photographs taken during three Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. It will remain on display in front of the BNR building until July 7. Culture Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143132-photo-exhibition-antarctic-echo-highlights-media-cooperation-says-bta-director- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1143132-photo-exhibition-antarctic-echo-highlights-media-cooperation-says-bta-director- Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:18:00 +0300 The photo exhibition Antarctic Echo is a symbol of cooperation between media organizations and among Bulgarians themselves, who are often overly competitive with one another, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev on Monday at the opening of the exhibition by journalist Marina Velikova in front of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) building in Sofia. Valchev said that Bulgaria’s presence in Antarctica over the past four decades demonstrates how cooperation can lead to significant results. He said it is proof that both the media and Bulgarians in general are capable of working together effectively. Speaking on behalf of BTA, Valchev congratulated Velikova and recalled that the agency has been sending its own correspondents to Antarctica for the past four years during the expeditions of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421). He added that BTA is the media organization that, for four consecutive years, has dispatched correspondents to Antarctica on all voyages of the vessel, maintains a national press club on board, and, thanks to Bulgarian Antarctic Institute head Prof. Christo Pimpirev, also has a presence at the Bulgarian Antarctic base on Livingston Island. The Antarctic Echo exhibition features photographs taken during three Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions. It is displayed in the open space in front of the BNR building and will be on display until July 7. Culture Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142767-59-international-students-study-at-university-of-library-studies-and-information https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142767-59-international-students-study-at-university-of-library-studies-and-information Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:57:00 +0300 A total of 59 international students are currently enrolled at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (UniBIT), the university told BTA. Two are citizens of EU Member States and 57 come from non-EU countries. The students are from seven countries: North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova, Ukraine, Greece, Cyprus and Russia. International students are enrolled across all programmes offered by the university, including cultural heritage, communications and information sciences, computer science and national security. The strongest interest is in programmes in Informatics and Computer Science, including information technologies, information security and computer science. UniBIT said it continues to attract international students, particularly in technology-related fields, thanks to its combination of humanities, information technologies and security studies.  Culture Dimitrina Vetova Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142755-over-1-400-international-students-from-55-countries-study-at-sofia-university https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142755-over-1-400-international-students-from-55-countries-study-at-sofia-university Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:54:13 +0300 A total of 1,431 international students from 55 countries are enrolled at Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski in the 2025/2026 academic year, the university's press centre told BTA. The students come from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. Of them, 315 are from EU Member States and Switzerland. Another 692 students from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine are studying under government programmes established by Council of Ministers decrees that provide access to Bulgarian higher education for persons of Bulgarian origin and for citizens of certain foreign countries.  International students are enrolled across all professional fields and degree programmes offered by the university's 16 faculties. The largest numbers are studying Medicine and Pharmacy in English. Programmes in the humanities, education, economics and informatics are also among the most popular. The number of international students at Sofia University has been rising steadily in recent years. Their number increased from 1,303 in the 2023/2024 academic year to 1,431 in 2025/2026. Culture Dimitrina Vetova Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142659--mystery-and-freedom-brings-together-100-performers-from-several-continents https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142659--mystery-and-freedom-brings-together-100-performers-from-several-continents Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:42:37 +0300 The production Mystery and Freedom creates moments that transcend artistic cliches, conductor Yordan Kamdzhalov told the Bulgarian News Agency. The production will be staged at the open-air theatre in Varna on June 9.  Kamdzhalov, who is also the show's artistic director, chief conductor and creator, said that the production brings together five main elements on stage – Genesis Orchestra, The Eastern Quartet from Switzerland, the ensemble and choir of the Music Laboratory for the Human Self and singer Sofi Marinova. The team includes around 100 performers from different continents.  Kamdzhalov explained that Mystery and Freedom had been in development for more than 10 years by the Music Laboratory for the Human Self’s team. The first tour took place in 2024, and the production is returning this year following a strong response from audiences. The national tour began on June 6 with a performance at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The production combines extensive preparation with experimentation, blending Baroque music and 21st-century-style improvisation. More than half of Mystery and Freedom unfolds without a score, creating space for spontaneous moments within a structured framework. This creative freedom allows the performance to move beyond conventional artistic boundaries, according to Kamdzhalov.  Culture Kalina Boyadzhieva Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142553-education-trade-union-reports-high-strike-readiness-among-teachers-over-2026-bud https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142553-education-trade-union-reports-high-strike-readiness-among-teachers-over-2026-bud Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:35:00 +0300 Teachers and employees in secondary education show strong readiness for protest action if their wage expectations are not met in the 2026 budget, the Education Trade Union of the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour said in a press release on Monday, citing a survey it conducted. According to the union, the Government is preparing the budget "behind closed doors". The survey was conducted between June 1 and 7. Education Trade Union President Julian Petrov said that more than 6,500 teachers, employees, principals, and staff from the Regional Departments of Education and the Ministry of Education and Science took part in the survey, 88% of whom were women. Respondents over the age of 50 were the largest group, which is also indicative of the average age of pedagogical specialists in Bulgaria. A total of 96% of participants believe that the remuneration of teachers and employees in secondary education in Bulgaria does not correspond to the volume and responsibility of their work. Only 2.8% consider their pay adequate for the work performed. The Government’s idea to link salaries to students’ results has met with overwhelming disapproval, with 97% of respondents opposing it. There is extremely high mobilization regarding readiness for protest action if salaries are not increased. 92% said categorically that they would take part in protests in support of the demand for higher pay. The press release notes that several possible forms of protest have been discussed so far. A total of 71.1% of respondents said they were ready to take part in a national strike. The option of not starting the 2026/2027 school year is also receiving growing support, with 53% saying they would join such an initiative. At the same time, a significant share of those who declared readiness for protest action also support participation in one-hour warning protests, rallies, and various forms of civil disobedience. "The survey data outline serious tension in the sector. Teachers widely feel undervalued, categorically reject the Government’s new proposals for evaluating their work, and demonstrate readiness for radical trade union action, including an effective national strike and blocking the start of the next school year. The reasons for this tension lie in the obvious discrepancy between the words and actions of the current Government. Progressive Bulgaria’s programme includes maintaining the remuneration of pedagogical specialists at 125% of the national average gross wage, and the same commitment is included in the collective labour agreement for the Secondary Education sector," the union said. According to the teachers’ union, in practice, however, salaries in the sector amount to no more than 115% of the national average gross wage, which makes an increase of at least 10% necessary to fulfil the commitments undertaken. "But it is not only the lack of dialogue that is catalyzing tension in the system. The Government has quite inadequately introduced into the budget debate a link between teachers’ salaries and students’ results, which are undoubtedly unsatisfactory. These, however, are two entirely different debates," the press release said. The union said it insists on a meeting and negotiations on income policy in the secondary education system. Education funding for 2025 amounts to 4.9% of GDP. The union said it will firmly defend the need for honest and professional dialogue on education financing with the following proposals: the Education Trade Union calls on Finance Minister Galab Donev to immediately restore funding for Bulgarian schools; to preserve the 2025 share of GDP allocated to education; to comply with Progressive Bulgaria’s programme and the national collective labour agreement on wage growth for employees in Bulgarian education; and to adopt a strategy for reaching 6% of GDP for education. Tension in the system is tangible and, in the absence of dialogue on the part of the Ministry of Finance, there is a real danger that it will escalate into strike action and even into failure to start the school year, the union said. Culture Tatiana Marinova Dimitrina Vetova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/official-documents/1142630-the-national-orchestra-captivated-the-audience-at-the-mozarteum-in-salzburg https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/official-documents/1142630-the-national-orchestra-captivated-the-audience-at-the-mozarteum-in-salzburg Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:23:00 +0300 The Sofia Philharmonic captivated the audience at Salzburg’s historic Mozarteum Hall, one of Europe’s most prestigious venues associated with the legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The orchestra’s debut performance there concluded with resounding success and prolonged applause.  Under the baton of Nayden Todorov, the orchestra presented a program dedicated to the Viennese Classical tradition, featuring Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Flute Concerto with soloist Tommaso Benciolini, and Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with soloist Charlotte Spruit.  The guest soloists are among the most compelling young European musicians today. Italian flutist Tommaso Benciolini, laureate of the prestigious New York Respighi Prize, has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Berlin Philharmonie, and the Mozarteum itself. Dutch violinist Charlotte Spruit, First Prize winner of the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Leipzig and winner of the YCAT auditions at Wigmore Hall, is one of Europe’s rising stars—described by Gramophone as an artist whose technique and musicality are matched by exceptional artistic imagination. The reaction of the Salzburg audience was particularly striking. The hall was filled predominantly with Austrian listeners—an audience steeped in the Mozart tradition and known for its exceptionally high standards in this repertoire. After the concert, many asked when the Sofia Philharmonic would return to Salzburg, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 received especially enthusiastic acclaim, eliciting a profound emotional response. “Yesterday’s concert by the Sofia Philharmonic at the Mozarteum in Salzburg was one of those moments when you can truly feel the significance of the long, patient, and often unseen work behind it. Performing Mozart in his hometown is a special challenge. Every phrase carries memory, tradition, and expectation. The Sofia Philharmonic took the stage with the focus, dignity, and caliber befitting the importance of this venue,” commented Nayden Todorov after the concert. The maestro also emphasized the importance of connecting with the audience: “Of course, I am happy with the audience’s reaction. Not because applause is an end in itself, but because it is the most direct sign that the music has fulfilled its purpose and reached the people for whom it is intended.”  According to him, performances on such stages are essential for the development of any national orchestra: “Concerts in venues like the Mozarteum are not just isolated events on the calendar. They are part of the path through which an orchestra builds its international presence—not through declarations, but through quality, consistency, and encounters with audiences that have high expectations.”  At the end of the concert, Todorov expressed gratitude to the musicians of the Sofia Philharmonic: “I thank the musicians for the effort, dedication, and conviction with which they upheld the reputation of our orchestra and Bulgarian musical culture.” The Sofia Philharmonic’s debut at the Mozarteum marks another significant step in strengthening the orchestra’s international presence, placing Bulgaria’s national orchestra on a stage that has hosted generations of Europe’s most distinguished musicians and conductors.  Today sees the start of rehearsals for the June 11 concert with renowned pianist Ivo Pogorelich, again under the direction of Maestro Todorov.Photos: Victoria Vucheva for the Sofia Philharmonic Official documents and communications Metodi Yordanov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142543-bulgaria-wins-silver-secures-u21-european-championship-qualification-at-preside https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142543-bulgaria-wins-silver-secures-u21-european-championship-qualification-at-preside Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:04:15 +0300 Bulgaria concluded its participation in the President's Cup - Europe 2026  taekwondo tournament in Nuremberg, Germany, with a silver medal and another qualification spot for the 2026 European Championships Under 21, which will be held in Romania in November. The silver was won by national team member Stefan Stamenov of Sung-Ri Atlantic club in Botevgrad (West Bulgaria), who claimed silver in the men's 74 kg category. Stamenov opened his campaign with a 2:0 victory over Germany's Efe Bilgin. He followed that with another 2:0 win against the Netherlands' Sjoerd van der Meer to secure a place in the semifinals.  There, the Bulgarian faced one of the strongest competitors in the category, European champion Stefan Takov, who recently won a bronze medal at the Rome Grand Prix. Stamenov advanced to the final after prevailing in a three-round contest.  In the title match, he faced China's Lixingjun Diao. The final also went the full three rounds, with Stamenov coming close to securing gold before losing the decisive round and settling for silver. The result earned Bulgaria another qualification for the Under-21 European Championships in November, following the qualification secured by Martin Evtimov. Bulgarian athletes won a total of nine medals at the tournament in Nuremberg. Sport Iva Krasteva Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142435-new-sofia-venue-opens-doors-to-four-weeks-of-choreographic-experimentation-and-c https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142435-new-sofia-venue-opens-doors-to-four-weeks-of-choreographic-experimentation-and-c Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:01:00 +0300 From June 8 to July 6, Baza, the new independent venue for contemporary dance and interdisciplinary arts in Sofia’s Mladost 4 district, will host the inaugural edition of the international platform DanceMeld. The initiative brings together leading Bulgarian and international choreographers, emerging artists, and audiences for a four-week programme of creative exchange, workshops, and public presentations, according to the organising team. As part of the platform, six choreographers from Bulgaria, the United States, Spain, and Argentina will lead hands-on creative workshops exploring the intersections of dance, voice, text, digital media, and circus arts. From June 8 to 13, Zornitsa Stoyanova (Bulgaria/USA) will present the creative workshop Polyphonic Dance/Future Love, dedicated to the interplay between movement, text, and voice. During the week, participants will begin developing a new choreographic project exploring love in an age shaped by artificial intelligence. Between June 15 and 20, young Bulgarian choreographers Silvia Cherneva and Andrea Dragov will lead parallel creative workshops within the New Voices strand. Cherneva will focus on the creation of solo miniatures and playful choreographic structures, while Dragov will investigate the relationships between personal narratives, space, objects, and movement. From June 22 to 27, Nora Gibson (USA) will lead a cyberdance creative workshop incorporating biosensors, sound, and visual media, while Lucio A. Baglivo (Argentina/Spain) will work with improvisation, partnering, acrobatics, voice, and real-time composition. The platform will conclude from June 29 to July 4 with a creative workshop led by Galina Borissova (Bulgaria), bringing together text, dramaturgy, scenography, sound, and movement in a collective performance-making process. At the end of each week, participants will present the outcomes of their work to the public and take part in open discussions that invite audiences to become active participants in the creative process. The project is aimed at dancers and choreographers, students, emerging artists, semi-professional performers, and anyone interested in contemporary dance, performance, and experimental stage practices. DanceMeld is an international platform for contemporary dance and interdisciplinary performance that approaches choreography as a collective process of research and creation. Rather than following a traditional educational model, participants engage directly in ongoing creative processes led by six choreographers with distinct artistic approaches. Each week combines practical laboratories, work within a specific artistic methodology, a public presentation, and a conversation with audiences. In this way, audiences are not merely observers of a final result but witnesses to and participants in the process of creation itself. A central focus of the platform is the integration of different artistic languages, movement, voice, media, text, visual art, and technology, not as parallel disciplines but as interconnected elements within a shared choreographic process. The platform also develops the special New Voices programme, which provides opportunities for artistic visibility and professional development to young Bulgarian choreographers under the age of 35. Baza is an independent space for contemporary dance, performance, and interdisciplinary research founded by choreographer Zornitsa Stoyanova and the organisation BodyMeld. Located in Sofia’s Mladost 4 district, it opened its doors in December 2025 following the complete transformation of a former industrial-administrative facility into a venue for artistic exchange, education, and creative practice. The space features Bulgaria’s first privately funded sprung dance floor accessible to the independent dance community. Culture Risida Dimitrova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142301-writer-georgi-gospodinov-to-bta-books-and-readers-go-through-crises-and-endure https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142301-writer-georgi-gospodinov-to-bta-books-and-readers-go-through-crises-and-endure Sun, 07 Jun 2026 17:03:14 +0300 "We are more enduring than the crises that happen to us; books and readers stay and make their way through crises. What does not kill them should make them stronger, to paraphrase, or rather quote, Nietzsche," writer and International Booker Prize winner Georgi Gospodinov told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He met with his readers on Sunday as part of the Spring Book Fair held in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK). "The Spring Book Fair is something that started a few years ago. More and more people attend it because they realize how important it is to their lives. The most wonderful thing is when people come to buy books for their children. Over the years, there have always been young families with small children who ask me to sign books for them. The children still cannot read, but this is the beginning of their library," Gospodinov said. He added that those “who think about their children’s future as readers, as people who read, and who are building libraries for them from an early age, provide the greatest source of optimism today.” “The world is becoming increasingly difficult to understand, and it is perfectly natural to seek a book, a tool for understanding the world and oneself, for reading the world and oneself. When we read a book, we also read the world and ourselves. A book is simply a path and a channel through which we try to understand everything around us,” explained Gospodinov. According to him, “literature has always been a source of meaning, empathy, and memory - three things that are in acute shortage today. And I think that is enough. I could list a hundred more things that literature can do, and I have done so before, but these three sources are important.” Asked by BTA whether people continue to be the focus of his message, Georgi Gospodinov replied: “They still are, yes. They still are. In fact, a book does not exist until it is opened. It is merely an object on a library shelf. When you open it, everything inside comes to life. This year, I am here to present “The Cherry of a People”, a poetry collection that has just turned 30 years old and was published during very dark times, during the great cold winter of 1996. Now, as it is being republished 30 years later, things are just as troubling.” Culture Petya Petrova Emanuel Smarkov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1142176-annual-rose-picking-ritual-parade-in-kazanlak-attract-guests-from-bulgaria-abr https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1142176-annual-rose-picking-ritual-parade-in-kazanlak-attract-guests-from-bulgaria-abr Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:34:00 +0300 Visitors from Bulgaria and abroad gathered for the annual rose-picking ritual in the rose fields near Kazanlak on the final day of the 123rd Rose Festival. Among the official guests were President Iliana Iotova, Deputy Tourism Minister Mariela Modeva, Kazanlak Mayor Galina Stoyanova, Municipal Council Chair Nikolay Zlatanov, Stara Zagora Regional Governor Kaloyan Damyanov and his deputy Zoya Koleva, MPs, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, directors of state and municipal institutions, mayors of municipalities and towns, ambassadors and other representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as delegations from Kazanlak’s sister cities. The event was accompanied by folk performances, and guests had the opportunity to meet the 58th Rose Queen, Denitsa Malcheva, and her runners-up, Yoana Mitseva and Anzhela Ivanova. Many tourists had the opportunity to learn about rose distillation, and in the rose fields near Kazanlak, guests of the city and Bulgaria enjoyed a rose harvest reenactment performed by local ensembles. The Rose Festival continued on the main boulevard in Kazanlak with the country’s largest street parade, led by Queen of the Rose Valley Denitsa Malcheva. For an hour, representatives from all kindergartens and schools in the municipality, community centres, sports clubs, and various dance groups as well as representatives from Kazanlak’s sister cities and visiting groups from across the country and abroad, paraded down Kazanlak’s main street. The parade consisted of several blocks, with the organizers’ goal being to showcase the region’s long-standing tradition of rose cultivation and to highlight the region’s cultural diversity and identity.  Addressing those in attendance, President Iotova said that the oil-bearing rose is Bulgaria's most beautiful symbol. The head of State emphasized the importance of the Rose Valley as a symbol of the country. In her words, the Rose Festival is among the most recognizable Bulgarian events and has been representing Bulgaria to the world for over a century. The President noted that this year’s edition continues a tradition with over 120 years of history. She expressed confidence that the number of visitors from Bulgaria and abroad would continue to grow. Iotova paid tribute to the generations of rose growers, entrepreneurs, and public figures who have contributed to the international renown of Bulgarian rose oil. “Today we must express our immense respect for those who started this tradition, for those who brought fame to the Kazanlak rose at the world’s largest international exhibitions, and for those who brought golden glory to Bulgaria,” she said. The President recalled that it was precisely the labour of generations of Bulgarians that turned rose oil into a product known worldwide as “Bulgaria’s liquid gold.” According to her, the country’s greatest wealth remains its people.  Deputy Tourism Minister Modeva said that her Ministry sees enormous potential in the Rose Festival for promoting and establishing cultural and festival tourism. She emphasized that every year, thousands of tourists from all over the world are drawn to this event, which leaves them with unforgettable memories. "The Bulgarian rose is one of the most recognizable symbols of our country around the world, and Kazanlak can rightly be proud that it preserves and develops this priceless heritage," the Deputy Minister stated. "May the scent of the beautiful Bulgarian rose continue to carry Bulgaria’s fame throughout the world," she concluded. Kazanlak Mayor Stoyanova said everyone who sets foot in Kazanlak is blessed. She began her speech with a poem dedicated to the city and the Rose Valley. She emphasized that Kazanlak is sunny and smiling, bathed in roses. "Take this happiness back to where you come from; experience this day and this festival with joy," she told those present. Bulgaria Dimitrina Solakova BTA correspondent Pavlina Dudeva BTA correspondent Ralitsa Stefanova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142144-20th-water-tower-art-fest-held-in-sofia-until-june-15 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1142144-20th-water-tower-art-fest-held-in-sofia-until-june-15 Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:27:00 +0300 The 20th Water Tower Art Fest was unveiled at Sofia's One Gallery on Sunday with an international exhibition featuring artists from ten European countries. Through June 15, visitors will be able to view installations, video works, performances, and interdisciplinary projects united by themes such as freedom and control, collective memory, institutional critique, the relationship between humans and nature, and new forms of social interaction, said the gallery’s team. The festival, which has established itself over the past two decades as one of the most recognizable platforms for contemporary art in Bulgaria, marks its anniversary with a programme of exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, and discussions in various venues across the capital, the team notes. The festival takes place at One Gallery, Figura Art Space, SAMSI, the Toplocentrala Regional Centre for Contemporary Arts, and the Water Tower in Lozenets. The opening event features works by independent artists from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Finland, Romania, and Bulgaria. Among the participants are German artist Gaby Bila-Gunther (Lady Gaby) with an interactive performance Inbetween and the video installation No Sugarcoating, Dutch artist Charlotte Eta Mumm with a series of watercolors and spatial objects, as well as Laurent Fallon with an installation dedicated to the political economy of art. Also participating in the exhibition are Corinne Fhima, Darina Alster, Juha van Ingen, Lisa Hinterreithner, Viviana Druga, Maddalena Mauri, and Simon Pfeifer. A special place in the programme is reserved for the Feministas Futuristicas collective  with video installations and performances with a social topic. Also on the June 7 programme is a collaborative live audiovisual performance by Anna Bacheva and Trendafila Trendafilova, exploring the interplay between sound, image, and space. On June 10, One Gallery will also host a public presentation and conversation with British producer, visual artist, and cultural manager Mia Harris. She has professional experience with institutions and events such as the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), Notting Hill Carnival, Glastonbury Festival, and Boomtown Fair. The topic of the meeting focuses on revitalizing neglected urban spaces through artist residencies and building sustainable connections between artists, institutions, and local communities. During the conversation, Harris will share her experience as a senior producer at the V&A Museum and present best practices for developing cultural projects tied to specific locations and community groups. According to the organizers, the discussion is directly linked to the mission of Water Tower Art Fest to breathe new life into forgotten or unused spaces through art, cultural exchange, and the active participation of local communities. Founded in 2006 at the Water Tower in the capital’s Lozenets borough, Water Tower Art Fest has evolved into an international platform for contemporary art, artist residencies, and interdisciplinary projects. Culture Dimitrina Solakova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1142101-bulgaria-romania-and-serbia-hold-folklore-festival-in-cross-border-area https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1142101-bulgaria-romania-and-serbia-hold-folklore-festival-in-cross-border-area Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:00:36 +0300 Participants from Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia are taking part in the folklore music and dance festival "The Rivers Danube and Timok Connect Us", which is underway on Saturday and Sunday in Kapitanovtsi, close to the meeting point of the three countries' borders. The festival is aimed to preserve and promote folk traditions and cultural exchange in the cross-border area. The event opened with a celebration dedicated to children. The festivities were officially launched by the village mayor, Desislava Venelinova, who welcomed residents and visitors. Performers from Serbia and Romania will join in on Sunday. "Their participation is proof that music and dance will always demonstrate the friendship that unites us," Venelinova said, calling on residents and visitors alike to show the hospitality of Kapitanovtsi and respect for folk traditions. Balkans Valentin Evstatiev BTA correspondent Rosen Mladenov