AGP Executive Report

Diaspora & Heritage: Sofia marks Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day today with a concert featuring young performers from Ukraine and Moldova, celebrating traditions shared across borders. A new book, Bulgarian Talents on South American Soil, brings together 23 stories of Bulgarians and their descendants in South America. Art in Sofia: British artist Lee Maelzer’s Hayden, exploring human presence and intimacy, opens at Cable Depot Gallery and runs through November 21. Eurovision 2027: Burgas will host 36 countries on May 11–15, with Canada making its debut and North Macedonia returning; Ireland, the Netherlands and Iceland are out, while Spain and Slovenia have yet to decide. Music & Community: Lubo Kirov has released a video for “Ti Si Tuk” as a birthday gift to fans, and Bulgarians in Sydney are preparing a National Awakeners Day celebration for November 6.

Eurovision in Burgas: Organizers confirmed 36 broadcasters for the 2027 contest, set for May 11–15 at Arena Burgas. Canada will make its debut and North Macedonia returns, while Ireland and the Netherlands will stay away. Liverpool’s culture director also shared lessons from the city’s 2023 hosting, which drew more than 300,000 visitors. Bessarabian Heritage: Ahead of the October 29 Day of the Bessarabian Bulgarians, community representatives celebrated Bolhrad Cathedral as a centre of faith and Bulgarian identity in southern Ukraine. Culture Across Borders: Hemus, the Bulgarian-Hungarian magazine, marks 35 years of connecting readers; editor Svetla Kyoseva has received Hungary’s Baumgarten Honorary Prize for her work promoting Hungarian literature in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Achievement: Surgeon Polina Marinova has become the first Bulgarian invited to teach an international course at Strasbourg’s renowned IRCAD centre. Civic Life: A Sofia conference is bringing participants from 12 countries together to discuss solidarity, volunteering and community action.

Eurovision 2027: The Netherlands has reversed its planned return and will skip next year’s contest in Burgas, citing sensitivities around the competition’s current themes. Civic Life: A Sofia conference brings researchers and civil society groups from 12 countries together to explore solidarity, volunteering and public action amid uncertainty; an exhibition will spotlight volunteer initiatives. Bulgarian Film: Two Bulgarian titles drew audience recognition at Luxembourg’s CinEast festival, where a special programme showcased the country’s films, music and food. Heritage & Tradition: Bulgarians marked St. Demetrius’ Day, a longstanding feast associated with the traditional start of winter.

Eurovision 2027: The Netherlands has reversed its decision to enter next year’s contest, citing divisions over Israel’s participation. The show is set for Burgas on May 15, with Canada’s first five finalists now chosen. Bulgarian Cinema: Short film Gadje won the Audience Award at Luxembourg’s CinEast festival, while In Hell with Ivo also drew strong audience support. Reading & Education: A Sofia forum brought Bulgarian and international experts together to discuss how AI and digital technology are changing literacy and children’s reading. Music: Mimi Ivanova marks her 80th birthday with a concert at Sofia’s National Palace of Culture on October 28, featuring hits and guest performers. Heritage: October 27 is Mouse Day in Bulgarian folklore, while the date also marks the anniversary of scientist Stamen Grigorov, whose research helped make Bulgarian yoghurt famous.

Reading & AI: A Sofia forum today is examining how artificial intelligence affects reading, comprehension and children’s literacy, with researchers from four countries taking part. Live Music: Mimi Ivanova marks her 80th birthday with a concert at Sofia’s National Palace of Culture on 28 October, joined by generations of Bulgarian performers. Folklore: October 27 is Mishinden, or Mouse Day, when Bulgarian traditions called for rituals to appease mice and protect food stores. Eurovision: The Netherlands has reversed course and will boycott the 2027 Song Contest, adding to uncertainty around the event expected in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Heritage: A concert in Moldova’s Tvardita celebrated Bessarabian Bulgarian songs, dances and poetry ahead of the community’s October 29 holiday. Archaeology: Excavations at Novae in northern Bulgaria uncovered a lavish Roman building with private baths, sculptures and valuable furnishings, possibly the home of a legion commander.

Faith & Tradition: Bulgarians marked St. Demetrius’ Day on October 26 with services across the country. In Radomir, celebrations also marked 160 years of the town’s St. Demetrius Church, with President Iliana Iotova praising efforts to preserve local heritage. Bessarabian Bulgarian Culture: A concert in Moldova’s Tvardita brought together Bulgarian songs, dances and poetry ahead of Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day on October 29, alongside a seminar on the community’s language, history and traditions. Arts Abroad: New York’s Bulgarian Consulate will host a November 13 event for Stone Trail, a debut chamber music album featuring works by Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova. Gender Equality: A Sofia forum examined plans for at least 33% representation of the underrepresented gender on publicly listed company boards, with speakers stressing that quotas should lead to real decision-making roles.

Faith & Heritage: Bulgarians marked St Demetrius’ Day, recalling the saint’s place in national tradition and the 1185 uprising led by Peter and Asen that restored Bulgarian independence. Bulgarian Music Abroad: A New York event on November 13 will present Stone Trail, a debut album of Bulgarian chamber music by composer Dobrinka Tabakova, with three of its performers taking part. Film: Bulgarian documentary In Hell with Ivo won CinEast’s audience award for best feature, while Gadjé received the audience prize for best short fiction. Archaeology: A marble relief of the goddess Cybele was discovered at an ancient Bulgarian religious site, adding to the country’s rich cultural record.

Bulgarian Communities Abroad: Young Bulgarians joined voters in Kraków and Dublin for Sunday’s presidential election, with volunteers and families helping keep community ties alive far from home. Literature: Translator Izidora Angel says translating Bulgarian fiction means inhabiting an author’s voice; her work on Rene Karabash’s She Who Remains, a finalist for the International Booker Prize, has drawn international attention. Opera: Sonya Yoncheva is set to make her Metropolitan Opera debut in Médée on October 30, while her husband, conductor Domingo Hindoyan, opened the Los Angeles Opera season with Carmen. Heritage and Flavour: A marble relief of the mother goddess Cybele and three nymphs has been uncovered at an ancient Bulgarian sanctuary, while Plovdiv’s Urban Wine Fest is showcasing Bulgarian wines. Folk Music: A profile celebrates Kremena Stancheva, whose voice helped popularise the Shoppe region’s folk music.

Opera Abroad: Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva is preparing to debut as Medea at New York’s Metropolitan Opera on October 30, while conductor Domingo Hindoyan has begun his tenure as music director of Los Angeles Opera. Ancient Heritage: Archaeologists at Balak Dere in southern Bulgaria uncovered a rare marble relief showing the goddess Cybele with three nymphs, shedding light on worship at the sanctuary around 1,500 years ago. Food & Folklore: Petarch’s Cabbage Festival paired its annual contest—with an 8-kilogram winner—with “Flavours of Bulgaria,” celebrating local produce and traditional recipes. Young Writers: Poet Kristin Dimitrova says poetry is thriving among young people, though she worries that children’s education varies widely across the country. Bulgarian Communities Abroad: A Sofia University conference brought together scholars to explore the language, cultural memory and identity of Bessarabian and Banat Bulgarians.

Food & Traditions: An eight-kilogram cabbage won the contest at Petarch’s annual festival, which paired local dishes and farmers’ stalls with the Flavours of Bulgaria culinary event. Archaeology: A rare 1,500-year-old marble relief of the goddess Cybele and three nymphs was found at an ancient sanctuary near Ivaylovgrad. Nature & Travel: Vrabcha Waterfall, a scenic getaway near Tran, has been designated a protected natural landmark. Poetry: Poet Kristin Dimitrova says poetry is thriving, praising talented young writers while warning that children across Bulgaria do not receive equal educational opportunities. Cultural Heritage: Scholars gathered in Sofia to discuss the language, memory and identity of Bulgarians from Bessarabia and Banat, while six Roman-era and medieval vessels recovered from the Black Sea will go on display at the National History Museum. Bulgarian Communities Abroad: At a media meeting in Budapest, representatives discussed how social media are changing news for Bulgarians overseas and the need for stronger institutional support.

Nature & Getaways: Vrabcha Waterfall, about 80 kilometres from Sofia, has been designated a protected natural landmark. The 7.66-hectare site includes a limestone gorge, rock tunnel and scenic trail. Bulgarian Heritage: Scholars from six countries gathered at Sofia University to explore the language, memory and identity of Bessarabian and Banat Bulgarians. People & Sport: More than 12,000 runners from 70 countries took part in the Sofia Marathon, where three participants’ stories show how sport can bring people together. Underwater Archaeology: Six Roman-era and medieval vessels recovered near Balchik will go on display at the National History Museum, highlighting Bulgaria’s rich underwater heritage. Faith & Community: A forum in Athens is celebrating St John of Rila’s legacy and the work of Bulgarian communities and Sunday schools in Greece. Food & Drink: Plovdiv’s Urban Wine Fest brought Bulgarian wines, local food and live music to the city ahead of International Mavrud Day.

Diaspora & Identity: Sofia University has opened a three-day conference on Bessarabian and Banat Bulgarians, bringing together more than 45 scholars from six countries to explore language, cultural memory and identity. Sport & Community: More than 12,000 runners from 70 countries joined the Sofia Marathon, where three participants’ stories show how sport can forge connections across backgrounds. Underwater Heritage: Six rare, well-preserved ceramic vessels from the Roman era to the Middle Ages have been recovered from deep waters near Balchik and handed to Bulgaria’s National History Museum. Wine & Food: Plovdiv’s Urban Wine Fest returns with more than 40 Bulgarian wines, regional dishes, live music and stories from the country’s wine regions. Shared Heritage: A forum in Athens marks 1,150 years since the birth of St John of Rila, with scholars and Bulgarian Sunday-school communities exploring the saint’s spiritual legacy across borders.

Wine & Food: Plovdiv’s two-day Urban Wine Fest opens with more than 40 Bulgarian wines, local specialities and live music, spotlighting regional grapes and producers ahead of International Mavrud Day. Bulgarian Rights: An Ohrid court acquitted two men accused of beating Bulgarian cultural-club secretary Hristijan Pendikov, ruling that neither their responsibility nor an ethnic motive was proven. Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry says it will continue supporting Bulgarians in North Macedonia seeking equal rights. Arts: Sofia’s National Gallery will open “Inspiration” on October 27, featuring sculptures and drawings by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov. Faith & Heritage: Patriarch Daniil’s visit to Zograf Monastery is the first by a head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in half a century. Culture & Tourism: Bulgaria and Greece are launching 21 cross-border projects, including €9.6 million for cultural heritage and sustainable tourism. Education: A 17-year-old student stepped into the director-general’s role at Bulgarian National Television for a day through the “Manager for a Day” initiative.

Diaspora Culture: Bulgarians in Athens opened four days of events honouring St John of Rila, with children’s art, readings, an academic forum and church services through October 25. Orthodox Heritage: Patriarch Daniil became the first Bulgarian church leader in half a century to visit Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos, where he joined celebrations for its 26 martyrs. Science and Society: Plovdiv’s Science Festival runs through October 25 with 94 events, while a conference at the city’s Regional Ethnographic Museum explores how Bulgarian village and town life has changed over time. Visual Arts: The National Gallery will open “Inspiration” on October 27, showcasing sculptures and drawings by Karlovo artist Ivan Tomanov. Education: Bulgarian scholars warn that a single compulsory textbook for history, literature and geography could undermine pluralism in schools.

Plovdiv Events: A science festival runs through October 25 with 94 activities, from experiments and workshops to exhibitions. The city also hosts a conference on how Bulgarian village and town life has changed over time. Music: Sofia musicians take on all 555 of Domenico Scarlatti’s keyboard sonatas in a three-day marathon starting October 24, raising funds for a historic-model harpsichord. Church and Tradition: Patriarch Daniil’s first visit to Mount Athos is renewing the Bulgarian Church’s historic ties with the monastic community. His recent visit to Bulgaria with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew drew protests over church divisions. Heritage at Risk: The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has indicted Petrich’s mayor over alleged fraud involving EU funds for a museum about the town’s history and shared Bulgarian-Greek heritage. Arts and Design: A winning proposal would turn Burgas’s abandoned central excavation into a sunken public art centre with galleries, studios and gardens. Bulgarian Culture Abroad: The Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Bratislava plans to reach more Slovaks through partnerships and events beyond its own walls; meanwhile, children from an Italian Bulgarian Sunday school are visiting Sofia’s cultural and historic sites.

Classical Music: Sofia Art Institute will stage a three-day marathon on Oct. 24–26 to perform all 555 of Domenico Scarlatti’s keyboard sonatas, raising funds for a period-style harpsichord for concerts and music education. Literature: Booker Prize-winning Australian author Richard Flanagan is due to meet readers at Sofia’s National Palace of Culture on Oct. 21, alongside the Bulgarian launch of his book Question 7. Culture Abroad: The Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Bratislava plans to reach more Slovak audiences through partnerships and events beyond its own walls. In Budapest, bilingual magazine Haemus marks its 35th anniversary with a photo exhibition and literary-musical programme. Heritage: The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has indicted Petrich’s mayor over alleged fraud tied to an EU-funded project to turn former barracks into a museum on Bulgarian-Greek heritage. Architecture: A proposal to transform Burgas’s abandoned “Hole” excavation into a sunken art centre, gardens and public space won first prize in an international competition.