Varna astronomy observatory and the Nikolaus Kopernicus planetarium are preparing the festive week for marking their 50^th anniversary. During the International Day of Light, visitors to the planetarium had the opportunity to observe the sun with special telescopes and equipment.  Photo: BTA

A cordon of police is lined along Tzar Osvoboditel Blvd. downtown Sofia. The capital city is covered by special security measures on the occasion of the forthcoming summit of European Union – West Balkans. Photo: BTA

Bulgarian Minister of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications – Ivaylo Mosckovski and Minister of Bulgaria’s Presidency of the Council of EU – Lilyana Pavlova took part in the validation of a postal stamp, dedicated to Bulgaria’s Presidency. The validation ceremony took place in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers building in Sofia. Photos: BTA

EU Commissioner Maria Gabriel takes part in the opening of an international Conference “The Balkans in European Integration – past, present and future”. The event is taking place at the Aula of Sofia University. The forum brings together experts, politicians, and journalists from the countries of the Western Balkans and EU countries for a discussion on acquired experience, the challenges and perspectives in the process of integration of the region with the European Union. Photo: BTA

An exhibition of photographs entitled “August 21, 1968: The end of the Prague Spring”, dedicated to the 50^th anniversary since the turbulent events in Prague, opened last night in the space of the former Garrison Shooting Grounds in Sofia. The exposition displays photographs taken in August 1968, made by 18 authors and breough together from five different archives, including those of the Czech Telegraph Agency and the Museum of North Bohemia (Liberec). The event is organized jointly with the Czech Center in Sofia, the Embassy of the Czech Republic and the FOTOFABRIKA festival, Sofia. Photo: BTA

Sofia Opera Theater is busily preparing the staging of Richard Wagner’s tetralogy “The Ring of the Nibelung” at Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. The first show – “The Rhinegold”, is to take place May 18, to be followed by “The Valkyrie” – May 19; “Siegfried” – May 21 and “The Twilight of the Gods” . Sofia’ Opera House and Ballet will be performing on this famous stage for the fist time since 1981. The opera tour was opened on May 12 with “Yana’s Nine Brothers” by prominent Bulgarian composer Lyubomir Pipkov( 1904 - 1974). Photo: BTA