The lights of Christmas decorations are brightening up many streets, squares and urban places in towns and cities across Bulgaria.

The park in front of the National Palace of Culture in central Sofia has become a Christmas bazaar.

Many decorated Christmas trees are decorating the center of Bulgaria's coastal city Varna.

Festive lights and shining Christmas tree is bringing joy to the residents of the small town of Razgrad in Northern Bulgaria.

The residents of the coastal town of Tsarevo in Burgas region can walk under an arch of shining lights.

A 16-meter Christmas tree is shining in the centre of the town of Elin Pelin, Sofia region.

A more original lights installation is bringing festive spirit to the residents of the village of Novi Han near Sofia.

On Saturday, a cold front will sweep across the country. During the night there will be rain in Western and Central Bulgaria, and snow in the mountains and on higher ground. A snow cover will form. Minimum temperatures 1-6° C., for Sofia around 1° C. During the day the precipitation will spread to the entire territory of the country. In the Western Rhodopes, to the North of the Balkan Range and in Ludogorie, the rain will turn to snow. There will be significant precipitation in the Southeastern part of the country. The weather will continue windy, in the Eastern regions the wind will be strong, from the Northwest. Daytime highs 2-7° C., for Sofia around 2° C.

Over the mountains there will be clouds and abundant snow, a snow cover will form. There will be a moderate to strong Northerly wind, and conditions for blizzards in the passes. Maximum temperature at an altitude of 1,200 m. 2° C., at 2,000 m around 3° C. below zero.

Over the Black Sea coast there will be rain. Maximum temperatures 6-12° C., temperature of the sea water 10-11° C., sea state 2-3.

On Sunday, the clouds will disperse and there will be sun over many regions.

Albania and Montenegro mark progress in European integration in 2024

EU leaders met on December 18 with their counterparts from the Western Balkans. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for finding solutions and compromises on open issues. "This sometimes slows down the process, but it always works," she said. President of the European Council Antonio Costa acknowledged that some countries that have been negotiating for membership for years are becoming increasingly impatient but pointed out that Montenegro and Albania have made "significant progress over the past year."

"The EU is already the largest economic partner and investor in the Western Balkans. It is and will remain the most reliable partner in the future," Costa added. The EU is providing financial assistance of 6 billion euros in the form of loans and grants to the region in the period 2024-2027, linked to the implementation of reforms, BTA recalls.

Romania's future rulers fail to agree on budget constraints

The Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania and the Save Romania Union failed to agree on a governing program for a future pro-European government. Marcel Ciolacu, current prime minister and leader of the Social Democratic Party, which won the biggest number of seats in parliament in the December 1 elections, announced that he was withdrawing from the negotiations. According to Reuters, the main dispute is over the budget deficit, which is the highest in the EU - 5.4% in November on an annual basis.

Meanwhile, the rating agency Fitch changed the outlook on Romania's credit rating from stable to negative at "BBB-", Digi24 television reported. In its reasons, Fitch cited factors such as "political risk and uncertainty", "undermined political trust", "fiscal deviations and unsustainable spending".

Tirana announces tender for railway line from Lake Skadar to Tirana and Durres

Tirana has announced an international competition for the construction of a railway line connecting Albania with Montenegro. In a speech at the opening ceremony of the competition, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku said that with the line, Albania will be part of the pan-European corridors, ATA news agency reported. "After the very good progress in the construction of the railway line connecting Tirana International Airport with Durres and Rinas, here is another cornerstone laid in the Albanian railways," she said. The line is 120 km long and will take 2 hours to travel. It starts in Vorë and ends in Han i Hotit and will have 12 stations. There will be 12 bridges and one tunnel along the line. The speed on the railway line is expected to be 120 km/h, Balluku also said. The railway line is expected to carry 2.3 million passengers and 900,000 tons of cargo annually.

Bosnia and Herzegovina restricts smoking in public spaces

A law banning smoking in enclosed public spaces has come into force in the Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, N1 TV reported. Establishments there will no longer place ashtrays on tables. The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed. A separate area for smokers in restaurants is planned, as food cannot be served there. In Bosnia, tobacco products are used by almost 1 million people out of a total population of 3.5 million. According to data from the World Health Organization, 35.5 percent of the Bosnian population are smokers, which puts the country in second place in Europe in terms of smoking. Serbia is in first place with 37.6%. The restaurant business is unhappy that they will have to invest in special ventilation equipment in smoking areas.

Belgrade's public transport becomes free

The mayor of the Serbian capital, Aleksandar Šapić, announced that from January 1, 2025, public transport in Belgrade will be free, Serbian national television RTS reported. Šapić pointed out that with the new social measure, the Serbian capital will become the only city in Europe that has free public transport for 2 million people. He added that there are smaller cities with free transport, but no cities as large as Belgrade. The Belgrade mayor also pointed out that in the next three years, the city's public transport fleet will be completely renewed.

"By the end of 2025, there will be no vehicles older than two years, except for those we bought in 2022," Šapić said.

Compiled by: Ivo Ivanov

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: europa.eu, romania-insider.com, Facebook Belinda/ Balluku, avaz.ba, sapic.rs

• 02’07 – News

• 12’21 – Bulgarians Abroad: "BG Ben" – the publication of Bulgarians in the UK celebrates 20 years

• 18’27 – ‎‎Song of the Day: A Wonderful Gift with Kostadin Georgiev aka Kalki

President Rumen Radev met in Sofia with the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban who is paying a visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Bulgarian president. Rumen Radev stated that Bulgaria will continue to be a reliable partner to Hungary in energy and to contribute to the security of energy supplies to Central and Eastern Europe.

“I would like to congratulate Viktor Orban on his sober assessment of the geopolitical processes and the challenges we face, on his clear vision of the development of his country and of Europe,” Rumen Radev said.

Radev and Orban agreed that attaining peace in Ukraine with a central role played by diplomacy, is a priority for Europe, BNR’s Mira Stefanova reports. “That is why this should be a central issue for the European leaders, alongside raising European competitiveness,” Radev said.

“Bulgaria has always been of strategic importance to Hungary, a key country, especially in the conditions of war in Ukraine which changed many things, including natural gas supplies,” Viktor Orban on his part said. “85% of our economy functions on gas. Now these deliveries are not so secure but we are seeking to secure them via Bulgaria,” he said.

Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and Westinghouse Electric Company concluded a contract on the licensing of fuel for Unit 6 of the NPP, the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy has announced. The signing, which took place in Sofia, was attended by caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov.

• Bulgaria signs engineering contract for new nuclear capacity with Westinghouse and Hyundai

The contract envisages an analysis of the compatibility of the fresh Westinghouse fuel with the Russian fuel Unit 6 has been using for 6 years. Westinghouse CEO and PresidentPatrick Fragman stated that his company was eager to continue to contribute to Bulgaria’s energy the independence and diversification. Answering a reporter’s question how the contract signed will affect the planned partial substitution of the Unit 6 fuel with fuel from Framatome, the French company the Bulgarian side has a 10-year contract with, Minister Malinov said that the duration of the contract with Westinghouse was 48 months and was not binding with regard to the purchase of fuel from the American company, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports.  

Earlier this year, Unit 5 of Bulgaria’s only nuclear power plant at Kozloduy was partially fueled by Westinghouse. The US company was selected to construct Units 7 and 8 at Kozloduy.

Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant and Westinghouse Electric Company concluded a contract on conducting a safety analysis for the licensing of an alternative nuclear fuel type for Unit 6 of the NPP. The signing was attended by caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov.

Westinghouse CEO and PresidentPatrick Fragman noted that this was the conclusion of a long process and a new beginning for the development of the relations between the company and the NPP, and of new projects.

Kozloduy NPP’s cooperation with the US company first began in the sphere of control and management systems, then fuel supply diversification, to reach the current stage of constructing new capacities. Patrick Fragman confirmed his company’s readiness to connect the future Unit 7 of the Kozloduy NPP to the European energy network in 2034. 

There is no immediate danger to the Bulgarian waters or to the Bulgarian coastline. The oil spill is drifting to the Southeast of Kerch Bay and to the North of the Kerch strait, and there exists a serious danger of pollution of the Sea of Azov, said caretaker Minister of Environment and Water Petar Dimitrov as samples were taken of the sea water near Durankulak on the Black Sea.

• No risk of pollution in Bulgarian waters from the oil spill in Kerch Strait

The monitoring of the Black Sea region, assigned by him continues and is constant, but after the incident in the Kerch Strait it has been enhanced, Minister Dimitrov said further. Alongside Yavor Dimitrov, Director of the Black Sea Basin Directorate and Prof. Miroslav Tsvetkov, head of the science sector of the Naval Academy in Varna, experts took samples from the sea water. The results are expected within a week. 

"Christmas Magic" will warm the hearts of Bulgarians in Las Vegas on December 20. Students and teachers from the Bulgarian Sunday schools in the American city are feverishly preparing for a lavish holiday concert with the participation of the theatre workshop "Dwarfs in Drawers", students from the newest Bulgarian Sunday school in the city "Bulgarche", children from the children's academy "Rodna Rech", as well as the "Zharava" folklore formation. There will also be special guests from Bulgaria - talented musicians Alexander Vladigerov and Konstantin Vladigerov, grandchildren of composer Pancho Vladigerov.

"Very ambitious teachers and parents, wonderful children who want to be on stage, to learn songs in Bulgarian, to dance - there is truly a Christmas atmosphere here, the energy is magnetic," says Maria Samichkova, an associate of Radio Bulgaria in Vegas, after the dress rehearsal for the event.

For the first time, two new Christmas songs will be presented to the audience – “Nezabravimo” (Unforgettable) and “Shum” (Noise), we learn from Diana Nikolova, head of the theatre workshop for children and founder of the new Bulgarian school in Nevada:

"The idea for these two wonderful songs came from the fact that I wanted to create a song for my ‘Dwarfs in Drawers’ and when I heard the music by composer Ivan Kutikov my eyes filled with tears. ‘Nezabravimo’ is based on lyrics by Zhivko Kolev. These are two incredibly talented Bulgarian artists. The second song recreates our life, creative life, our dreams on the stage of the dwarfs' workshop. The two songs are truly wonderful. I expect the audience to sing them and create a festive atmosphere," says Miss Diana, as the children call their inspirer. And here is a video from the rehearsal:

"Everyone is happy to help in order for the concert to be realized in the most beautiful way and to become an annual tradition in Vegas,” Maria Samichkova, who is part of the Bulgarian-American Association in Nevada, says.

"The year was extremely dynamic, saturated with many Bulgarian events and interesting projects, some of which were really difficult to implement. But when a person has the desire, nothing can stop them. I hope that the Bulgarians here in Vegas and the entire Bulgarian community will be even more united in 2025 and will have more serious and even more successful events related to the preservation of Bulgarian culture and traditions abroad. I wish the friends of Radio Bulgaria a Merry Christmas! Be well and healthy, loved and blessed! May the new year be peaceful, calm and successful for all Bulgarians around the world and in Bulgaria! And continue to create and to dream!"

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: Rosi Petkova

Interviews and video: Maria Samichkova

BNR - "Horizont" has the draft agreement for 10-year cooperation in the field of security between Bulgaria and Ukraine. The 20-page document, the signing of which was postponed, stipulates that Bulgaria will provide training for Ukrainian military pilots. The Ukrainian naval forces will practice mine-clearing, diving and boarding operations in Bulgarian waters and the countries will cooperate in demining the Black Sea. 

Sofia and Kyiv will improve the South-North and West-East corridors for solidarity and export of Ukrainian agricultural products. The possibilities for guaranteed electricity supplies from Bulgaria at fixed prices in the winter will be studied. The document takes into account the need for peace in Ukraine under "conditions determined by Ukraine" and supported by international documents. Sofia is committed to supporting the establishment of a tribunal for Russian aggression against Ukraine. Kyiv will guarantee Bulgarian language training in Ukrainian state schools.

Wine culture has been thriving in Bulgaria, with more and more locations and events drawing a growing number of wine lovers and boosting interest in wine tourism.

Demand in wine tasting has gone up significantly in 2024, weekend advance bookings for the period around Christmas and the New Year having started as early as autumn, explains enologist Krassimira Kodukova from one of the most popular wine tourism platforms in this country, in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. People are now better informed, and what they are looking for is high-quality wine and an authentic experience, combining a visit to a wine cellar with gastronomy and getting to know local landmarks and traditions. 

In the winter months, tasting aged, full-bodied wines in a cozy wine cellar, often with traditional food, creates an atmosphere to be remembered. As it turns out, the winning combination this season is wine and spa.

“The most popular locations in winter are the places that offer wine and spa, as well as adventures. The winter landscapes and the cold tend to draw people’s minds to warm spa procedures and to getting to know the local wines,” says Krassimira Kodukova and adds:

“In Bulgaria there are about 10 such destinations where a wine cellar, which makes wine out of its own vineyards, also offers accommodation plus spa. Some of these destinations are located in regions where there is mineral water – like Sandanski, for example. There are others that might not be able to take advantage of mineral water, but they do offer additional experiences. For example, there is a wonderful spot in Gotse Delchev where you can combine a visit to a wine cellar with a tasting room, with a great restaurant and spa procedures with grape seed extract. 

So that if you are not into wine all that much, the other adventures will draw visitors and they will get to know the local wine traditions. There is a very nice wine and spa destination in Tryavna with its own wine cellar and a higher class hotel with a spa pool with procedures. A winery in Glavan village in the southern Sakar mountain, though not quite so luxurious, also offers an experience of this kind, as do other locations around the country.”

• From vineyard to bottle: The legendary Mavrud, Bulgaria's signature wine

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• Wine without a barrel is like a person without clothes

But wine tourism is more than wine, spa and accommodation. If the winery is near historical landmarks this makes it more popular compared to wine cellars which only offer wine, or wine and spa, says Krassimira Kodukova.

“There are more than 350 wine cellars in Bulgaria, and at least 150 of them make high-quality wine, fully capable of competing with foreign wines. We have more than 100 wineries which have tasting rooms, or which offer wine tasting without accommodation. These wine cellars are open to tourists all the year round with advance booking. One of the things that are different in Bulgaria, compared to countries with advanced wine tourism, is that here, when you go to a wine cellar you may well be welcomed and walked through the entire wine experience by the owners or the technologists themselves. 

This personal touch shows they do not regard visitors as ordinary customers, but as their personal guests. This is something many foreign tourists we send on a wine adventure in Bulgaria highly appreciate,” says Krassimira Kodukova.

• Forbes: Plovdiv is among the best destinations for New Year’s Eve

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos: winetours.bg, Reuters, Freepik.com

Vazrazhdane party are to file a signal to the State Agency for National Security (SANS) over an attempt to "massively recruit" hundreds of Bulgarian municipal councillors, said Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the party. He told media that the party are to file the report today because of thousands of emails sent through the email address of the National Association of Municipalities, offering a training program in the United States for acquiring leadership skills. "Such a large-scale email attack by the America for Bulgaria Foundation has not happened for several years," Kostadinov said. We will send this report so that they can establish all the facts and circumstances surrounding this act of the foundation and its connection with the National Association of Municipalities, Kostadinov added.

Nearly 2/3 of Bulgarians said they were happy in 2024, while 26% responded negatively in the traditional end-of-year survey by Trend, commissioned by the 24 Chasa newspaper.

Personal life, family, social circle and work are the main factors shaping the feeling of happiness, sociologist Evelina Slavkova from the agency told the Bulgarian National Radio. 24% of respondents define 2024 as a good year for Bulgaria, with the share decreasing by 4% compared to December 2023. Pessimists have increased by 1% and are 58%. On a personal level, 6 out of 10 Bulgarians assess the year as good one. For 26%, the outgoing year was bad.

According to 38%, the next year will be better for Bulgaria, while 26% predict a worse one. A high share of those asked (36%) found it difficult to answer. On a personal level, 47% are more optimistic, while 15% are skeptical.

The big winners of the 28th edition of the Bulgarian Documentary and Animated Film Festival "Golden Rhyton" are the animated film "White Shoulder for a Black Man" by director Anri Kulev and the documentary film "Geri's Wish" by Tonislav Hristov. "Geri's Wish" also won the critics' award. 

The special jury award went to Tsvetan Dragnev for the documentary film "Balkan Black Box". The film also won the awards for music and for best cinematography. The special jury award for animated film went to Ivan Popov-Zaeka for the film "Family Portrait of the Black Earth". This year, 59 films competed, as 21 were animated films and 38 were documentaries. 25 works were included in the "Open Horizons" program. The total number of titles was 84.

Severino Kozhuharov, co-owner of the newspaper "BG BEN", which is published in the UK, presented an honorary award "best partner and active contribution to the development of the newspaper "BG BEN" for 2024 to the chairman of the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad Rayna Mandzhukova. This happened during the presentation in Sofia of the special edition dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the newspaper, BTA reports. 

At the ceremony, Mandzhukova said that the true heroes are the Bulgarians abroad: "Those in London, those in Argentina who do not know much Bulgarian but always say welcome. Those in Hungary who no longer need us, because the Hungarian state provides everything they need, but they continue to be Bulgarians and leave their photos of the deceased in the church. All of them are the heroes. And we, all of us here, owe them much."

Bulgaria should focus on adopting a budget that will help it enter the eurozone, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told Nova TV. According to her, the country is on its way to solving the problem of higher inflation. The forecast is for inflation to reach 2.6% in 2025. It is currently 2.8%.

"But if we decide to spend more than we have, a budget deficit would emerge and entry will be postponed. We have postponed it several times already, it is time to tell ourselves that we are bringing this work to the end, as happened with Schengen," Georgieva said. "Be careful, let's be more realistic. Yes, maybe revenues will increase. Let's not forget that we want to increase them with one-time actions, not with a systematic policy far raising revenues," she warned.