According to an English insurance company whose clients are mostly expats, Bulgaria is the number 1 country for people wanting to start a new life abroad. Out of the company’s top 10, Bulgaria comes 4^th though it is number 1 in Europe, with the steepest increase in its expat community in the 1990-2020 period – from 43,000 in 1990 to 1.7 million in 2020. There is no accurate data regarding the number of foreigners living in the country at this time, but there are a number of reasons why they have chosen to come here – new job opportunities, meeting a kindred soul or just wanting to escape the rat race.

What brought Alex Martinez from Paraguay to Bulgaria was love – his girlfriend got a job offer in Sofia:

Soon after that Alex met his current wife and admits he is really very lucky to be married to a Bulgarian lady. They have a 3-year old son called Nicholas whom he has named one of the beers after -  manufactured jointly with another brewery. Its ingredients include bourbon vanilla and coconut.

Alex Martinez is one of the pioneers on the craft beer market in his own country – Paraguay:

“With one of my best friends and business partner Jose we opened a brew pub there 10 years ago – and we started the movement of craft beer there and it grew super fast. Paraguay is a beer-drinking country – but mainly mainstream beer, so craft beer was new. People travelled and they would bring back a bottle. People were curious and we couldn’t find any such beer on the local market, so we decided to import it from Brazil. But then nobody knew these brands so we knew were going to going to have a hard time selling it. So, what we decided to do was open a brew pub and start making our own beers. We first did courses so that we ourselves could learn, and after that we started doing classes for people who wanted to become home brewers.”

His advice to people who want to become brewers is to start small and then grow, but he adds that it is a lot of work. He says that from his own experience, as he has his own brewery which he faced quite a few problems with when he had to legalize it:

“Two things, but they are mostly my fault. One is that my Bulgarian is a disaster. I know pure basic, I can order a coffee, a beer and a banitsa,” Alex says. “I cannot have even a basic conversation about business. The other thing is knowing the culture, and how slow and bureaucratic the processes are.”

Alex Martinez says he has no one else to blame for coming to this country and starting a business of his own, but goes on:

“What I like here is that people are, in general, honest, I feel that. I come from a very corrupt country. Things that it will take me weeks here, in Paraguay I will have in minutes, but you have to pay something. Of course, I prefer things to work out in the proper way, here it will take longer but it will be the right way. Another thing that I really like about Bulgaria is that you have a really good work and family balance,” says Alex Martinez.

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova

Photos courtesy of Alex Martinez 

On July 13, 2025, Vitosha Mountain will welcome nature lovers with music, sports and emotion during the long-anticipated Vitosha Summer Fest. For yet another year, Momina Skala Hut will will serve as the main venue of this beloved event which is part of the "Sofia – European Capital of Sport" initiative.

The event is expected to attract mountain enthusiasts from across the country and abroad. The most active participants will take part in a 14-kilometer mountain run or in mountain biking, with options available for different age groups. 

There will also be a hiking tour along the "I Love Vitosha" trail, which promises scenic views and revitalizing moments in nature. The festival has no participation fees. In front of Momina Skala Hut, visitors can enjoy a rich cultural program featuring traditional folk songs performed by Alex Kostov and local ensembles.

Vitosha Summer Fest 2025 will also offer raffles, an alpine zip line over the river, and games for children. Vitosha Summer Fest stays true to its mission of blending sport, culture and a love for the mountain into a shared celebration for all.

See also:

• Vitosha Park – 85 years on and still a favourite getaway

• Folklore festival at the foot of Vitosha Mountain gathers performers from nine countries

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: facebook.com/sofiaeuropeancapitalofsport

In the Eastern Rhodopes, in the place where Roman patricians used to drink wine surrounded by marble columns, these days tourists wear authentic togas and marvel at original mosaics from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Villa Armira – the only preserved Roman aristocratic residence in the Balkans with marble cladding welcomes tourists after a 4-year restoration, completed in the summer of 2024 under a European project worth nearly 4 million euros.

The villa was built at the beginning of the 2nd century in the style of Roman palaces with a large inner courtyard, surrounded by a covered gallery with colonnades and an outdoor pool. The impressive two-story building spread over a huge area, had numerous bedrooms, reception rooms, a banquet hall, guest rooms, a bathroom, etc. The panoramic terrace offered a magnificent view of the heights of the Rhodope Mountains.

"This villa is the center of a villa estate – a place where the owner came to supervise the work of his subordinates, to welcome guests, to listen to citizens and to solve their problems. Everything found during the excavations shows that the first floor of this house was entirely clad with marble, which makes it unique. These marble decorations are not found in any other Roman province of the empire, which stretched across three continents. Emperors and high magistrates were probably welcomed here. Our mosaics and the restoration of the marble are entirely original – we have no copies," tour guide Magda Raykova says.

• Villa Armira – the marble palace of the river valley

• Villa Armira to apply for UNESCO

The villa is remarkable for its decoration. Its amazing mosaics spread over 450 square meters of area and are among the most ancient discovered in Bulgarian lands. Some of them have floral and geometric motifs, but there are also some with unknown symbols. "We have not fully deciphered them - they are too complex and diverse," Raykova says. A modern air conditioning systems to protect the artifacts has been installed and the roof of the ancient bathhouse has also been restored. But there is more:

"Outside the villa, in its western part, we have made the second residential and craft complex available for tourists. Half of this part can be seen,” Magda Raykova says. “A new project envisages the restoration of the other half, where there were workshops, the housing of the service staff, etc. In addition, in 5 new pavilions we are showing crafts related to the villa from the beginning of the first millennium – mosaic art, sculpture, wine-making, ironwork and ceramics. In another pavilion one can find organic products – honey, tahini, spelt flour… We have afforested the area with figs, olives and almonds, as it was in ancient times."

Above all this rises a 28-meter observation tower – the new hit among visitors. From it, the entire villa and the green hills of the Eastern Rhodopes can be seen as if in the palm of your hand. But the real experience is in the details:

"Tourists can explore the villa dressed in Roman togas to immerse themselves in the tour guide's story and feel like being part of the lives of the people who lived there. They can take pictures outside and inside the villa. But before that, we offer them to watch a film related to the history of Villa Armira in our interactive hall, where we organize games for the children," Magda Raykova says.

For just first four months after its opening, the renovated Villa Armira has welcomed a record 101,627 tourists, becoming a real tourist hit in the Eastern Rhodopes. "People come from France, UK, even America. Individual visits predominate but people are very impressed by what they see," Magda Raykova says.

Author: Veneta Nikolova

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photos: Veneta Nikolova, vila-armira.com

During rescue excavations in the western necropolis of the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica near the village of Rupite, archaeologists unearthed a unique find: a finely carved marble face. The discovery was made at a grave that was likely looted during the 1st–2nd century AD.

Watch the video:

The head of the excavation team, Prof. Dr. Lyudmil Vagalinski from the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, explained that the artifact is likely part of a funerary relief depicting the deceased. The tomb lies nearly four meters below the modern surface and will be subject to detailed study. According to the team, more discoveries will be announced soon, reads a post by the Facebook group “Archaeologia Bulgarica.”

The marble face is just one of several significant discoveries in the necropolis in recent weeks. At the end of June, archaeologists uncovered two terracotta figurines of goddesses, gold jewelry and a double burial of a man and a woman from the Roman era. Among the latest finds is a silver intaglio ring featuring an incised image of a running hunting dog.

The rescue excavations are being conducted due to the construction of a new gas pipeline.

See also:

• Remains of the ancient polis of Heraclea Sintica take us back to the Age of Antiquity

• Archaeologists make new significant discovery in Heraclea Sintica

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: Facebook/Archaeologia Bulgarica

"Heraclea Sintica is a natural and scientific heritage of world significance!", says Katya Stoyanova, director of the Historical Museum in Petrich and head of the project "Restoration, conservation, preservation, promotion and development of architectural sites from the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica".

The Hellenistic city, which last year attracted world attention with the unearthing of the statue of one of the heirs of Octavian Augustus – the founder of the Roman Empire, is today establishing itself as a center of culture, art and education. In addition, it is also becoming a center for the protection of biodiversity in the region. All this is united under the motto: "Cultural dialogues with nature, culture and people" – part of the large-scale project for the revitalization of the ancient city.

"We live in a place where cultural heritage of extremely high value is concentrated and at the same time nature has given us a gift that we cannot ignore. Our efforts are to unite both. The place has always been the subject of scientific research – we have rare species of birds, snakes and turtles, as well as specific plants. We have combined the administrative work related to researching them with the creative process in order to promote the wealth of biodiversity in the area and it is already clear that people enjoy listening, watching and talking about the animals and plants that can be found here."

• The region of Petrich where history comes alive

Katya Stoyanova says that together with a team of biologists they organize exhibitions, reasearch plant and animal species and prepare educational modules for children and adults.

"We try to work with local schools and all cultural and educational institutions. The goal is for students to discuss current topics, to make suggestions for solving problems, and for the creative part to be intertwined with the educational one. We also held several exhibitions in cultural institutions abroad - in Budapest in February, where the local Bulgarian community got acquainted with Heraclea Sintica and showed exceptional interest. At their initiative, we held another lecture and with the director of the Cultural Institute and representatives of the embassy we discussed future initiatives with Bulgarian schools there. Later, we presented the exhibition ‘Secrets and Riddles from Heraclea Sintica’ in Slovakia - not only to the Bulgarian community, but also to the local audience. We took the first steps so that people outside of Bulgaria can find out about Heraclea Sintica. Probably, at the end of the year we will also hold a presentation in Warsaw."

Interest in the ancient city is growing, Katya Stoyanova says and adds that the number of visitors has increased significantly.

"Last month there were Mexicans, visitors from Vietnam, people from all over Europe, of course, but also many Americans, several representatives from Japan, as well as from South America. The visits are not organized, but individual as foreigners are increasingly beginning to recognize Heraclea Sintica and learn about this site. Of course, all this is also due to the wide advertising and promotion that we do together with the platform of Prof. Lyudmil Vagalinski - head of the archaeological works and the media, for which we are grateful. People already recognize Heraclea Sintica as a place of rich cultural heritage, which contributes to the image of Bulgaria" Katya Stoyanova says.

• Ancient polis of Heraclea Sintica revealing its secrets

• Floor mosaic and the head of a Roman statue discovered at Heraclea Sintica

For the summer season, the ancient city will become a stage for musicians and on July 26 the interactive spectacle "Mystery Sintika", with the help of sound, light and choreography, will recreate Thracian beliefs and customs. Workshops have been prepared for the children, as they will be able to feel as real archaeologists under the guidance of Prof. Vagalinski.

Author: Desislava Shapkarova
Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photos: Historical Museum – Petrich

The story of Kiril Jeliazkov’s life well and truly deserves the attention of the people who never give up on their dreams. Born in Yambol, Kiril discovered his artistic talent thanks to an art teacher who advised his parents – a driver and an accountant – to give serious thought to sending him to an arts class, and then to the secondary school of arts in Kazanlak:

 “My parents were against because I had to rent a room and live in another town at the age of 13-14, but being so persistent, I was top of the list when I applied to the secondary schools in Kazanlak and in Sliven, after which I spent five years studying fine arts in Kazanlak. I applied to the academy in Sofia, and was accepted, and that’s how I started my life there.”

But soon after, as he watched the development of art in this country, Kiril decided he wanted to try his luck in the US.

“We managed to send out a circular email to more than 300 universities in America and it went something like this: Hello, I am Kiril Jeliazkov, an artist from Bulgaria, I would like to know what the potential application conditions are for the given institution,” Kiril Jeliazkov remembers. “Within 2-3 weeks they had started sending catalogues to my address in Yambol.”

He chose Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia where the 15,000-dolar scholarship covered around half of the education. Besides photographs of 32 of his works, the college required knowledge of the English language and proof of USD 20,000 in a personal bank account. As he did not meet requirement 2 and 3, Kiril took the risk and only sent his drawings. His works made such an impression on the college president that he granted one of only six scholarships covering the entirety of his education there, with all materials he needed, accommodation and food. The only thing he had to provide for himself were an airline ticket and a visa – and that proved to be very problematic, as the people at the embassy refused to believe he was an artist. He had to go a second time and show them his paintings:

“I got my visa on 15 March, 1999, and I set out for Savannah College. I started my life here with 40 dollars in my pocket, two shirts and a couple of pairs of jeans. I spent my first year learning English and, even though I had everything covered and didn’t need money, I started drawing portraits in the street to make some additional cash.”

That was how Kiril Jeliazkov earned his bachelor’s degree in the space of two years – a time he spent getting to know his environment and taking part in small exhibitions at local galleries. He dedicated his time to modern art and was even able to meet Christo Javacheff and his wife Jeanne-Claude. 

And though he was not acquainted with the work of the avant-garde artist of world renown at the time, after several conversations with Christo he came up with the idea for his most emblematic work – the Orange Step, a painting covering an area of 400 metres in length and 6 metres in height, divided up into 128 canvases each 6 metres tall and 3 metres wide. Today Kiril is happy to tell the story of his major work – how he returned to Bulgaria for two years, shut himself up in the school gym in Yambol with 5 tons of paint and a special kind of vinyl that is resistant to all kinds of weather and started work:

“The idea was for the exhibition to be on display for one month outdoors, and that means it could rain, the sun will shine, there will be wind etc. The project comprises 128 canvases 6 metres in height and 3 metres in width which still makes it the biggest originally created exhibition in the world. What provoked me was the fact that galleries determine the degree of success depending on whether you have an exhibition at some prestigious gallery or not. That was something that annoyed me because it was all about pulling strings. That is why I say, and I believe it to this day, the world becomes my gallery.”

He called the project Orange Step, leaving his own footprint in orange on each of the canvases. And if you are wondering why orange – well, that is Kiril Jeliazkov’s favourite colour. His work caused quite a stir in the town park in Yambol – the opening of the exhibition back in 2007 was even attended by the then president Georgi Parvanov. And it afterwards reaped success at his presentations in the US, among them in Savannah and in Palm Beach, Florida during a prestigious golf tournament.

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos courtesy of Kiril Art Jeliazkov

The 10th anniversary edition of the Raspberry Festival was officially opened on July 11 in the town of Samokov. The event continues on Saturday, July 12. Over the years, the festival has estalbished itself as an symbol of the region and a platform for promoting local raspberry production.

The central town square, Zahari Zograf, is lined with colorful stalls offering fresh berries, homemade jams, syrups, liqueurs, sweets and even cosmetics made with raspberry extract.

Renowned chefs, including popular participants from Hell’s Kitchen Bulgaria, host live demonstrations showing how to prepare raspberry desserts, sauces and beverages. Guests can also visit a farmers’ market and taste a variety of raspberry delights — from traditional jams and marmalades to exotic raspberry salads and refreshing lemonades.

The organisers have also prepared a rich cultural programme - folklore performances, concerts by local groups and performers, as well as children’s workshops on healthy nutrition and the benefits of raspberries.

The festival also has its own cause - to support young farmers in the region and raise awareness about sustainable agriculture.

See also:

• Festival in Samokov attracts tourists and lovers of culinary experiences

• Samokov-town of traditions going back to national revival period

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: Bulgarian Association of Raspberry Producers/Facebook

Though known mostly as one of the closest associates of Vasil Levski and a dedicated fighter for national liberation, there was actually much more to Father Matey Preobrazhenski (1828–1875) than his revolutionary efforts. Little is known about his genius as an inventor of some incredible mechanisms and structures using little more than his own imagination.

Mono Seizmonov, as was his birth name, had a difficult childhood. Having been orphaned during the plague, he only learnt to read at the age of 18. But his curiosity drove him to seek out knowledge and science. As a novice at Dryanovo monastery and in Mount Athos he devoured encyclopedic works and Greek treatises on medicine, while all the time conducting his own experiments. Plamen Nikolov, curator at the “History of the Bulgarians lands 15-19 century” department at the Regional Museum of History in Dobrich says:

“The evidence we have of his inventions is circumstantial. We know that while he was in Mount Athos he tried to build a mill on the shore of the Aegean that would be self-operated, driven by the energy of the sea waves or the changing tides. And he spent all the money he had on this invention. He constructed models, made drawings and tried again and again. Ultimately, he came up against the retrograde monastic brotherhood in Athos. The Greek monks were far from delighted with what he was doing, and they reported him to the abbot. He had to destroy his work and was forced to leave.”

After his expulsion from Athos, Father Matey wandered the world for a long time, and when he did come home he tried to build a sand-driven self-operated mill. And even though his blueprints have been lost, compatriots of his describe “chutes and basins in the sea” for capturing the sand for generating energy.

“Father Matey actually has come successful inventions to his name. For example, in Mihaltsi (a village near Pavlikeni – editorial note) he invented a water pump operated not by animals but by human hands – probably a piston pump, the kind that are currently used in many gardens. But Father Matey actually reached this idea all by himself thanks to a natural technical inclination of the mind and the knowledge he had acquired in mechanics. His pump was kept in Mihaltsi up until 1934. He used planks and paper to make a model of a perpetual calendar with several movable circles and elements, and when they were adjusted, you could see when the major church feasts will fall up until the year 1940. While he was in Tarnovo, Father Matey made two models of rifles, as his contemporaries say, “flintlocks” which could be loaded from the muzzle, but also from the back.”

• The perpetual calendar of Matey Preobrazhenski

But Mitkaloto (Wanderer) as people would call him, also had medical knowledge. He collected recipes for herbs and cures some of which have gone into a book on natural medicine published in 1925. Compatriots of his say that he actually found a herb he used to cure a wound on Vasil Levski’s stomach that wouldn’t heal. So, can we call Matey Preobrazhenski a Bulgarian Leonardo da Vinci?

“One thing is certain – Father Matey had very little access to technical literature compared to Leonardo. He was 100% self-taught, and had to extract his knowledge and technical skills all by himself from the very few books he had access to,” says Plamen Nikolov in conclusion.

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos: museumpavlikeni.com, dnesbg.com

• "Strasbourg Calling" EP Vice President Sabine Verheyen: The European Media Freedom Act has nothing to do with censorship

English publication: Rositsa Petkova

As part of the Varna Summer Music Fest tonight, five virtuoso Bulgarian musicians will present the Balkan Moods project in Varna, combining classical, jazz and folk music.

The group comprises renowned kaval player Theodosii Spassov, Atanas Ourkouzounov on guitar, George Vassilev on guitar, Irina-Kalina Goudeva on double bass and vocals, and Dimitar Ivanov on 10-string guitar. The concert will take place in the garden of the Archaeological Museum at 8 p.m., and will feature works by renowned composers from Bulgaria and Serbia. Some of these pieces will be premieres. The concert will take the audience on an unforgettable journey through the soundscapes of the Balkans.

The quintet will also perform in Plovdiv on 16 July at the Small Basilica of Philippopolis, as part of the 9th International Youth Festival "Crossroads".

Velingrad once again invites all fans of Bulgarian folklore to join in a traditional horo chain dance near the town's famous mineral springs. On July 12 and 13, the central square of Velingrad will be filled with the lively sounds of bagpipes and drums during the "Spring Horo" 2025 festival.

The festival brings together dance ensembles and clubs from across Bulgaria, which will present horo traditions from all folklore regions. Participants will parade in traditional costumes, while visitors will have the opportunity to take part in folk dance workshops led by renowned choreographers.

The festival has a mission: to keep Bulgarian folklore alive. Awards will be given to the most colorful and dedicated participants, including for the best costume, the largest group, etc. Every dancer will receive a keepsake gift. The program also features an art exhibition by Iliyan Penev – pyrography inspired by the photography of Asen Velikov. The book "Dance Culture of the Razlog Valley" by Dr. Danail Atanasov will also be presented. The festival will donate part of the proceeds to support young talents from the region.

See also:

• Velingrad spa resort - health through water treatment

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: Facebook/Horo at the Spring

Scientists from the Department of Astronomy at the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” have studied M2 (Messier 2) – one of the oldest globular clusters in our galaxy. Globular clusters are groups of stars bound together by mutual gravity and are believed to have a common origin. Using innovative approaches, the astrophysicists have obtained more precise data on M2's age, structure and dynamics. Their findings prompt a new rethinking of this type of cosmic phenomena. That is why they were recently published in one of the most prestigious scientific journals – Physica Scripta.

"What we found is that M2 is more flattened in the center, becoming rounder toward the periphery", said Dr. Georgi Petrov — one of the four scientists involved in the project:

"In fact, back in 1953, the great Russian astronomer Pavel Kholopov made the first calculations without the powerful computers we have today and noticed a change in ellipticity from the center toward the periphery. The astronomers after him, however, did not take this into account and began using an average value for the shape of the star cluster, since in most catalogs the measurements are taken only at a certain distance from the center", said Georgi Petrov.

Based on their in-depth research, the Bulgarian scientists were also able to determine the age of the star cluster — 13.2 billion years. According to the most recent data from 2010, M2 is no older than 12.5 billion years. Dr. Petrov explains:

"Why is this interesting? Because globular star clusters are the oldest formations in the galaxy and in the universe as a whole, and they provide clues about the lower limit of the universe’s age. There is also a need of a more advanced theory to explain why the star cluster is more flattened in the center and more rounded on the periphery, which is quite unusual! One would expect the opposite, since over the last half a billion years, it has approached the center of the galaxy three times, and due interactions with it, it should be more flattened at the periphery. A new theory needs to be developed to explain this change", Dr. Georgi Petrov went on to say.

And while the findings of the Bulgarian astronomers open up new horizons for knowledge, they are already preparing the next phase of their project by developing their own software to improve the accuracy of their measurements.

Photos: astro.phys.uni-sofia.bg; NASA

Until July 13, 2025, Hisarlaka Park near the town of Kyustendil is welcoming thousands of tourists, adventurers and history enthusiasts.The fifth edition of the "Hisarlaka Experience" festival offers unforgettable experiences amidst the walls of the medieval fortress and the greenery of the nature park.

Festival-goers can take part in a variety of sports and tourist activities. During the day, they can enjoy art installations, a children’s program and exhibitions featuring local and visiting artists. An art bazaar has also been set up in the ancient fortress, offering handmade products, jewelry and culinary delights blending traditional and modern flavors.

This year, the festival welcomes an international artist for the first time – the Turkish band Baba Zula, known for their blend of traditional instruments and modern sound. They are joined by Grafa, Animacionerite, Kottarashky & Sando and others.

The organizers have also prepared a culinary area featuring specialties from the local cuisine. All activities are organized with a focus on sustainability and environmental care."Hisarlaka Experience" has established itself as a unique event that combines active tourism with cultural heritage, offering a fresh perspective on the beauty of the Kyustendil region.

See also:

• Kustendil unveils Bulgaria’s longest legal graffiti wall

Edited by Veneta Nikolova

Photos: facebook.com/hisarlakaexperience; BTA

At the beginning of the last century, Dubai was a tiny town of around 1,200 people with a small port on the Persian Gulf. Thanks to its geographical location, however, it soon became an important port for foreign traders, particularly Indians, travelling to and from India. The local population relied mainly on pearl fishing for their livelihood, but this market declined in the 1930s when Japan became a leader in industrial pearl farming. Nevertheless, the port continued to attract foreign traders, with more and more of them settling in Dubai. As with neighbouring emirates, Dubai's prosperity began when oil deposits were discovered. However, as these were insignificant, the emirate decided to focus on tourism, technology and trade instead. Stunningly architectured skyscrapers and modern facilities quickly rose from the desert, and Dubai gradually became a glamorous and impressive metropolis. According to statistics, the city now welcomes around 20 million tourists each year.

It is therefore not surprising that the largest Bulgarian diaspora in the Arab world is located there. In a special interview for Radio Bulgaria's "Bridge of Faith" podcast, the Bulgarian Ambassador, Ivan Yordanov, reveals more.

“As of 2025, just over 3,800 Bulgarian citizens live in the territory of the United Arab Emirates,” Ambassador Yordanov notes.

The Bulgarian Sunday School “Bulgarche” was established in Dubai in 2007, on the initiative of the Bulgarian community and with the assistance of our Consulate General. Today, it educates more than 150 children. In 2014, the Zdravets folklore club was also founded there, uniting Bulgarians from various backgrounds and professions who are passionate about Bulgarian culture and folklore.

Ten years later, Bulgarians in Abu Dhabi also organised themselves and opened the UAE's second Bulgarian school, “Kambana”. This has further strengthened the bonds within the Bulgarian community, which strives to keep the Bulgarian spirit and traditions alive.

But what attracts Bulgarians to Dubai?

'The main incentive for all Bulgarian citizens is the wealth of professional development opportunities in the UAE across all fields,' notes Ambassador Yordanov. 'We have many musicians, doctors, IT specialists and bankers. The Bulgarian community has a diverse professional makeup, but it is very well organised and functions effectively, despite being a young diaspora in the United Arab Emirates.

There are various ways to experience Bulgarian culture, such as concerts and international folklore events in different emirates. People are interested in us. Of course, one must take into account the fact that more than 150 nationalities live in the UAE, each presenting its own culture and way of life. In this sense, the opportunities are sometimes so abundant that there is a certain oversaturation.”

Dubai is famous for the world's tallest building, the 828-metre-high Burj Khalifa. It is also home to one of the world's largest shopping centres, the Dubai Mall. Tourists can marvel at the Dubai Fountain, a dancing fountain, the colourful Dubai Miracle Garden botanical garden, and the man-made Palm Jumeirah island, which can even be seen from space. Surrounded by all these technological wonders, Bulgarians in Dubai strive to preserve their roots and maintain a connection with the spiritual traditions of their ancestors.

'The growing number of Bulgarians in the community gradually raised the question of the spiritual needs of Bulgarian citizens of the Orthodox faith,' notes Ambassador Ivan Yordanov. 'In 2023, they approached the Holy Synod with a request to conduct services in Bulgarian in the UAE and to establish a Bulgarian Orthodox Church Community (BOCC) headquartered in Dubai.' The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church appointed His Eminence Metropolitan Antoniy, who oversees the Western and Central European Diocese, to be responsible for the spiritual needs of Bulgarians in the UAE.

This led to the establishment of the BOCC 'Saint John of Rila' in Dubai — the youngest church community of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. While there is still no Bulgarian Orthodox church building or permanently appointed Bulgarian priest, the Bulgarians in the community hope that this will be achieved in the coming years. They are all extremely grateful to Ambassador Ivan Yordanov for organising and actively participating in the meetings between church and state institutions that resulted in the establishment of the church community.

Editor: Desislava Semkovska

English publication by E. Radkova

Korean traditional games and food were tried today by participants in a Korean camp organized by the family of Bum Suk Lee and the Youth Center in the town of Vratsa. The camp is being held for the sixth time. 

Published in English: R. Petkova
Photos: BTA

English publication: R. Petkova

Welcome to Bulgaria Today, the English-language podcast of Radio Bulgaria, on July 11 hosted by Rositsa Petkova.

We start with a summary of the leading news stories from Bulgaria and the weather forecast for tomorrow.

Next, in Travel - Cosy under the stars – glamping is the new escape from city life – what does it look like and why are Bulgarians increasingly seeking it out? Our travel editor Veneta Nikolova tells us more.

At the end, we have our Friday slot dedicated to Highlighs of Bulgarian Music Culture – in the spotlight today the cosmic voice of Bulgaria and Valya Balkanska’s performance of the iconic folk song “Izlel e Delyu Haidutin”.

Have an enjoyable listen!

• 02’08 – News

• 14’02 – Travel: Cosy under the stars – glamping is the new escape from city life

A global leader in the production of robotic and minimally invasive surgical equipment has officially opened a new manufacturing facility in Parvomay, Plovdiv Province, as part of its planned expansion in Europe, BNR Plovdiv reports.

The American company Intuitive's new site in Plovdiv Province will produce 3D endoscopes and micro-optical components for da Vinci systems, a robotic surgical platform used by almost 90,000 surgeons worldwide.

This is the company’s first facility in Bulgaria and its third in Europe after Germany. The investment amounts to €42 million.

“Bulgaria stands out for its established capacity in optical manufacturing, strategic location, and reliable access to engineering talent,” emphasised Harald Haigis, the company’s Managing Director for Europe.

The facility already employs more than 110 people, with the potential for this number to grow to 300.