Belogradchik, in Northwestern Bulgaria, is a stone field inhabited by collective dreams.Albena ShkodrovaYou would not drop by Belogradchik on your way somewhere else. Beyond the town, both the road, and Bulgaria itself, come to an end.Though in .....| Read more
Nearly four million foreigners visit Bulgaria in 2006
A total of 3 716 193 foreigners visited Bulgaria from January to September 2006, State Agency for Tourism head Mario al-Djebouri said. The figures were 5.8 per cent higher the percentages for the same period last year, he said. More than 2.5 mil.....| Read more
Easter party and rafting demonstration down Bulgaria’s Strouma River
Several extreme sports clubs will open the rafting season 2007 at Kresna gorge of Strouma River, 13 km to the south of Sofia, on April 7 and 8.The dates coincide with Easter holidays and an Easter party will accompany the season opening, Bulgari.....| Read more
US travel writer picks Bulgaria as top budget destination
Bulgaria was among the top 10 budget destinations for summer vacations in 2008, according to US travel writer Pauline Frommer.
Frommer's recommendations range "from romantic getaway spots to family faves to exotic destinations for advent.....| Read more
Bulgarian travel market through the eyes of a pro
August is a month when things generally, well – they stopped. Cars were few and far between; businesses as well as government simply shut down for the month and the streets and shops had a noticeable absence of people. August was “t.....| Read more
Free emergency aid available to EU citizens in Bulgaria
Emergency centres of regional hospitals in coastal resorts will treat EU citizens free of charge if they have health insurance, Health Minister Radoslav Gaidarski said.The emergency centres were opened at the beginning of June 2007, Focus news a.....| Read more
Construction of Lyulin Highway to be fast-tracked
Construction works on Lyulin Highway could be fast-tracked, so that it is concluded by the end of next year, regional development minister Assen Gagaouzov was quoted as saying by Sega daily on March 21.
The Government will do its best to speed .....| Read more
Easter in the Rhodopes’ largest monastery
The distance between Sofia and the Rhodope mountain town of Assenovgrad is 150km. Only 10km further into the mountain is nestled Bachkovski manastir (Bachkovo Monastery) – the second-largest monastery in Bulgaria and certainly the larges.....| Read more
I like motorcycles, driving, rambling in the countryside, going to bazaars, relaxing in the sunshine ... read more
What`s on in Bulgaria
Theatre
Short Play for a Child’s Room What: The play resulted from a fortunate – and unlikely – encounter between director Galin Stoev and playwright Yana Borissova’s debut text. When: May 24 and 29 Where: Theatre 199
Valentine’s Day What: One of the most popular contemporary Russian playwrights, Ivan Vyrypaev has chosen for his play’s motto the words of an Arabian philosopher: “There are only two things – love and love.” When: May 22 Where: Little City Theatre off the Channel
Three Sisters What: Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters is a play about the things that never happen and the sophisticated sadness and despair of the characters. When: May 21 and 30 Where: Nikolai Binev Youth Theatre
Lazarus and Jesus What: Based on Emilian Stanev’s apocrypha, Lazarus and Jesus aims to excite interest in the “damned questions” raised by the author and to argue against the assertion that Bulgarian literature is limited mostly to the regional and the untranslatably Bulgarian. When: May 18 Where: Sfumato Theatre-Workshop
16th International Istanbul Theatre Festival What: two weeks of theatre and dance performances from around the globe When: May 15 to June 4 Where: Istanbul
The Taming of the Shrew (premiere) What: Director Marius Kurkinski returns to the stage of the Satirical Theatre with this Shakespearean comedy, which was one of the master’s earlier plays. When: May 10, 19 and 26 Where: Aleko Konstantinov Satirical Theatre, Sofia
Cultural Institutes
Salon of the Arts What: The annual Salon of the Arts features tens of exhibitions, concerts and performances. For a complete programme, stop by the Ticket centre at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) When: May 11 to June 30 Where: National Palace of Culture, Sofia
Art
Sofia, Paris, Strasbourg What: A joint project by the National Academy of Arts in Sofia, the Ecole Superieure d’arts graphiques – Penninghen and the Ecole superieure des arts decoratifs, Strasbourg, focusing on the Cyrillic alphabet with a newspaper theme. When: Opens May 8 Where: Akademia, 1 Shipka Str, Sofia
ART POSITIVE 2008: FRAGMENT What: exhibition with the participation of 14 Plovdiv artists When: Until May 25 Where: Centre for Contemporary Art - Plovdiv arttoday.org
Live Music
KYLIE MINOGUE What: Indisputably, one of the major concerts in Bulgaria in 2008 will be that of pop icon Kylie Minogue. Ticket prices vary from 40 to 50 leva. When: May 18 Where: Lokomotiv Stadium
JAZZ PLUS FESTIVAL 2008 What: Jan Garbarek Group featuring Manu Katche, Alboran Trio, Roberto Fonseca, Luisito Quintero. Tickets at 20 and 25 leva, available from Dyukyan Meloman, Bulgaria Hall, NDK box office, eventim.bg and ticketstream.bg. When: May 15, 17, 18 and 29 Where: NDK, Bulgaria Hall and 4km Party Center
After Business Club What: weekly mixers When: Wednesdays, 8pm Where: Chillout Bar & Dinner, 5 Triaditsa Str
RONI SIZE DJ SET What: The Sofia gig of the world-famous drum ’n’ bass DJ Roni Size will be the first in a series of events presenting legendary performers from the global drum ’n’ bass scene. When: May 17 Where: Hristo Botev Hall in Studentski Grad
WORLD BEAT NIGHTS – DANCING AROUND THE GLOBE What: Three more World Beat Nights – Dancing Around The Globe parties will be held in May. When: May 16, 23 and 30. May 16: African Night, May 23: The Latino Friday and May 30: Arabian Night. Where: Club Pulse