Sofia

Mark your calendars as Sofia Pride, the largest LGBTQ+ event in Bulgaria, is gearing up for its 17th consecutive year on June 22. This iconic event promises not only a celebration of diversity and inclusion but also a platform for addressing critical issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the country.

Recent data from the Sofia Directorate of the Interior reveals a noteworthy shift in crime statistics for the year 2023. The total number of registered offences in the region amounted to 17,765, demonstrating a decrease from the previous year's count of 18,044.

Get ready for a weather shift as Bulgaria braces for variable cloud cover to overcast conditions on January 26. Eastern Bulgaria is expected to experience snowfall accompanied by a moderate to strong northwesterly wind. Anticipate temperatures ranging from 0°C to 5°C, hovering around 1°C in the capital, Sofia. Daytime highs will reach 5°C to 10°C, with Sofia expecting around 5°C.

In the latest setback for the Sofia Municipal Council, attempts to elect a chairman have faltered for the seventh time. The run-off vote featured Tsvetomir Petrov from the coalition "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB) - Spasi Sofia," securing 26 votes, while Diana Tonova, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) candidate, trailed with only 9 votes.

Bulgaria has experienced a remarkable surge in foreign direct investments, marking a 12-year high with an increase to BGN 7 billion between January and November 2023, a BGN 2 billion rise from the previous year.

Bulgaria has chosen Meglena Kuneva as its candidate for the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, as revealed by Deputy Minister Irena Dimitrova during a presentation to diplomats from Council of Europe member countries accredited in Sofia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Renowned geographer and writer, Georgi Bardarov, sheds light on Bulgaria's critical demographic challenges, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of present actions on society in the next 15 years.

In an attempt to quell the ongoing protests by public transport workers in Sofia, Mayor Vasil Terziev has extended an offer of a 15% salary increase. However, this falls short of the demonstrators' demands, who are advocating for a more substantial 30% raise.

In a move to advocate for better working conditions and a 30% pay increase, the Federation of Transport Unions (FTU) initiated a protest action in Sofia on Thursday. The demonstration, organized in collaboration with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, resulted in disruptions to several bus and trolleybus services.

Bulgaria is set to make art history with the inaugural "Sofia Art Fair," a groundbreaking contemporary art exhibition scheduled for October 3-6, 2024. The prestigious event aims to showcase a fusion of Bulgarian and European artistic talent, providing a platform for artists, galleries, collectors, and the international professional community to converge.