Optimism for Bulgaria

Nevena and Kiril are making the most of rural life, but they moved to the village with the clear intention of giving back to the local community as well.

For the second edition of Open Vratsa Fest on August 31 and September 1 this year, Tsvetoslav Yonov, or Tseko for short, and his team promise an even more vibrant lineup with independent Bulgarian and international performers, modern circus shows, public readings, and film screenings.

In addition to breathtaking views of Bulgaria’s longest river canyon, in the Kobilini Steni area, you can also see some of the most impressive rock formations nationwide.

Few people are as familiar with the local mountains as they are: some have been dedicated to tending to the area since the Directorate’s inception in 1996 and have loved and explored the mountains for even longer.

What Miroslav has achieved through adherence to the principles of organic and biodynamic farming is superior quality and unmatched taste.

If you’re up for an adventure while in Vratsa, be sure to check out Vratsa Trails. They offer guided tours of the Vratsa Balkan — overlooking the Iskar Gorge — on two wheels.

Vratsa Velo Society marries Angel Angelov’s two great passions — for his hometown and for cycling.

Veteran creatives The Convo use the power of advertising magic to boost civic engagement. Their campaigns like Democracy Daily and The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices make democracy relatable and engaging.

Iva Lazarova from the Institute for Public Environment Development shares her journey of enhancing public accountability and ensuring fair elections, showcasing the power of civic engagement.