It was pure serendipity that brought Lidia Svetoslavova to Tutrakan. In 2012, the Dobrich native had just returned from Germany and was working in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. She had never been to Tutrakan and knew nothing about it. Her German boss made an unplanned visit to the Danubian town and was captivated by its hilly landscape, stunning river views, sunsets, and fishing boats. He shared his plan to organize a festival in Tutrakan similar to Germany’s Rhine in Flames and asked if Lidia would like to oversee the preparations.
Her “yes” turned out to be life-changing.
Lidia has now lived in Tutrakan for 12 years, and the Fiery Danube Festival at the end of July has become an annual celebration, drawing thousands of visitors from Bulgaria, Romania, and further afield.
Organizing the first edition of the festival proved momentous in more ways than one. It’s there that Lidia met the love of her life, Kristian Yakimov — a Tutrakan native, ecologist, trainer, tour guide, and master storyteller of local legends. Since then, Lidia and Kristian have been partners both in life and in their mission to promote sustainable tourism along the Danube.
Their bond with the river is so strong that they celebrated their marriage in 2014 with a ceremony on a raft and a gathering with friends on the beautiful Pozharev Island.
Through the Tutrakan Tourism Development Association, founded by Lidia and Kristian, visitors can explore the area’s islands and wild habitats, learn about local traditions, and discover Tutrakan’s main livelihood — fishing. Visits to the Fisherman’s Village are always fascinating, with interactions with local fishermen and community center members enriching both body and soul.
Visitors can enjoy kayaking to the nearby islands with Lidia and Kristian (with motorboats available for those who prefer a more relaxed pace), bird watching, walking to the largest water lily colony on the Balkan Peninsula, and making mamaliga and traditional Tutrakan fish soup outdoors.
Tutrakan offers a variety of accommodations, including hotels, traditional and modern guesthouses, and tent camping with stunning views of the Danube.
A key part of Lidia and Kristian’s work is preserving the region’s natural resources. They organize training sessions for children and adults and offer guided tours of protected areas. Partnering with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, they work to preserve the Kalimok Brashlen protected area. Together, they are building an observation tower and a birdwatching and photography shelter, allowing visitors to get closer to Kalimok’s rich wildlife without disturbing it.
Take a virtual walk with Lidia and Kristian through this short film from Lora Krumova and Maria Yotova’s MAD in BG series:
Support for Tutrakan Tourism Development Association is part of the America for Bulgaria Foundation’s long-term efforts to promote economic development in the Bulgarian North through entrepreneurship and tourism.
