A commemorative ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Armenian Church of the Holy Virgin in Ruse to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. The event was attended by the Mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov, Deputy Mayor Encho Enchev, municipal councilors, representatives of political parties, the Armenian community and citizens.

The ceremony began with a prayer service, served by Father Dirayr Hadavyan, the head priest of the church, who recalled the significance of the date April 24, emphasizing the responsibility of generations to preserve historical memory.

A moving recital was presented by children from the Armenian community and members of the Armenian Scout Organization. The artistic program was prepared by the People's Community Center "Angela Chakaryan - 2008" and included poems and texts dedicated to the history and memory of the Armenian people.

Balloons in the shape of the forget-me-not flower, a symbol of remembrance for the victims of the Armenian Genocide, were released into the sky above the church. The flower embodies the message “Remember and Insist,” with which the Armenian people keep alive the memory of the tragic events of 1915.

At the end of the memorial ceremony, those present observed a minute of silence, and wreaths and flowers were laid in front of the memorial.

April 24 is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Armenian Genocide. The date was declared in 1987 by the European Parliament as the Day of Solidarity with the Armenian People and has been officially celebrated since 1989. The Armenian Genocide, carried out by the Ottoman Empire in the period 1915–1923, led to the extermination of over 1 million Armenians through mass massacres and forced deportations. The events are recognized as one of the most serious crimes against humanity.

Ruse is hosting the first-ever Republican Tournament in Police Personal Protection and Karate for Ministry of Interior employees, which will be held from April 23 to 25. The competition, which includes the disciplines of “Police Protection”, “Kata” and “Kumite”, will feature over 50 competitors from 12 regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior across the country. The tournament was officially opened by the Mayor of Ruse Pencho Milkov, Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev and the Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior – Ruse, Senior Commissioner Nikolay Kozhuharov.

“It is a great honor for me to welcome such a significant tournament in our city, which combines professionalism, discipline and sportsmanship. Ruse is hosting an event that not only demonstrates enviable skills and impressive technique, but also values ​​such as teamwork and respect,” said Mayor Pencho Milkov. He emphasized that the event is another opportunity for police officers to show their dedication and professionalism.

The mayor of Ruse watched the fights in the individual disciplines together with the native of Ruse and three-time world and European karate champion Todor Sabev. Representatives of the police school in Bucharest also took part in them.

During the tournament, mayor Milkov awarded the winners in the "Police Protection" discipline, emphasizing the importance of their dedication and efforts in fulfilling their official duties. The competition continues tomorrow, April 25, with new exciting fights in the individual disciplines ahead.

Official guests of the event were also the deputy director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Ruse, Commissioner Alexander Kovachev, the director of the Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection" - Ruse, Commissioner Svetoslav Voychev, the head of the "Security Police" Commissioner Dimitar Vachkov and the chairman of the "Sports Association - Ministry of Internal Affairs" Chavdar Atanasov.

The tournament is part of the annual sports calendar of the "Sports Association - Ministry of Interior", and the organizers are the Center for Combat Training and Sports at the Academy of the Ministry of Interior, the "Sports Association - Ministry of Interior" and the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Ruse.

The large-scale competition will be held from September 18 to 21 in the Lipnik Forest Park

Mayor Pencho Milkov met with the delegate from the International Canoe Federation /ICF/ Ulrike Schreck. The occasion is the upcoming Dragon Boat World Championship, which Ruse will host from September 18 to 21 in the Lipnik Forest Park.

"Your presence here is symbolic - it is a sign that the world is turning its attention to this unique corner, which will be an arena of spirit, energy and global unity. The Dragon Boat World Championship is a chance for Ruse to show something much greater than logistics and organization - our ability to dream, to build on traditions and to welcome the world not as hosts, but as allies in a new common experience," the mayor addressed Ulrike Schreck. He assured the ICF delegate that preparations for the large-scale event had already started months ago with the establishment of an organizing committee, which includes a number of experts.

Ulrike Schreck stated that the International Canoe Federation is reporting increased interest in the upcoming world championship. So far, more than 1,500 athletes from 5 continents have registered. The competition in the attractive sport will include 10- and 20-seater boats, which will compete in distances of 200, 500 and 2,000 meters. Pencho Milkov shared that meetings have been held with the Union of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs and with representatives of local businesses in order to secure accommodation for the participants and the expected several thousand spectators who will visit the city and the surrounding area.

"The World Championship, in addition to a spectacular competition, will provide Ruse residents and guests of the city with a rich cultural program. We strive for Ruse to establish itself as a place that inspires and unites people from all over the world," said Pencho Milkov.

The meeting was also attended by deputy mayors Zlatomira Stefanova and Borislav Rachev, the director of OP "Sports Properties" Lachezar Ivanov, the executive director of the Bulgarian Canoe - Kayak Federation Evelina Petrova, as well as Ruse resident Milko Kazanov - a multiple rowing champion and currently a coach of young hopefuls.

After the meeting with the mayor of Ruse Municipality, Ulrike Schreck visited the lake in Lesopark "Lipnik", where the large-scale sports event will be held. There she became acquainted with the activities undertaken by the Ruse Municipality to prepare the course. The water area and adjacent areas of the lake are being cleaned according to the requirements of the International Canoe Federation for holding sports competitions. The course is also due to be resurfaced in the summer. 

We remind you that in 2021, the Municipality of Ruse won the hosting rights for the World Dragon Boat Championship this year. In 2024, the first Dragon Boat Festival for Ruse was held in the Lipnik Forest Park, which was held with great interest.

The Municipality of Ruse will regularly provide more information about the program and the events accompanying the sports forum.

The Municipal Child Protection Program for 2025, proposed by Mayor Pencho Milkov, was adopted at today's meeting of the Municipal Council of Ruse. The document was developed by the local administration and adopted by the Children's Commission of the Municipality of Ruse, and is aimed at the comprehensive protection of the rights, interests and well-being of children on the territory of the municipality.

The program outlines the strategic goal for effective protection of children, especially those from vulnerable groups, and includes specific activities in seven main priorities:

-  quality education and care in early childhood;

-  access to healthcare and a healthy lifestyle;

-  protection from violence, drugs and exploitation;

-  justice, tailored to the interests of children;

-  reduction of child poverty and social exclusion;

-  leisure activities – sports, culture, art;

- promoting children's and youth participation

A number of measures are planned - improving the material and technical base in childcare and educational institutions, developing social and health services, joint preventive campaigns with institutions and NGOs, ensuring inclusive education and support for children at risk. Particular attention is paid to activities related to digitalization and innovations in education, as well as the integration of children who have returned from abroad.

The program is based on national and international strategic documents, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Child Guarantee, and is tailored to the real socio-economic conditions in Ruse.

The Municipality of Ruse will monitor the implementation through the Children's Commission and the Child Protection Department of the Social Assistance Directorate. The program is an open document and is subject to update in the event of changes in the circumstances and needs of the local community.

A seminar on the topic "I will be a responsible driver" was held today at the ''Yuri Gagarin'' Vocational High School of Mechanical Engineering. Dozens of students from Ruse schools attended the discussion, and the lecturer was the car racer, multiple winner of national rallies, mountain and closed-course championships Iliya Tsarski. The event was honored by Deputy Mayor Encho Enchev, who greeted those present.

"The most important aspect of road safety is that it is discussed in advance. I am glad to see so many young people who not only dream of their future, but also build it with a thought for the responsibility that each of us bears - not only as a participant in traffic, but also as part of society. Each of you who will sit behind the wheel tomorrow bears responsibility - to yourself, to your loved ones, to everyone on the road," said the Deputy Mayor. He expressed his gratitude to the ROO - Ruse for the initiative and for the opportunity for young people from Ruse to gain experience from a person like Iliya Tsarski, who proves that speed and success go hand in hand with discipline, reason and respect for others.

The successful racing driver spoke to the attendees on various topics related to road safety. Iliya Tsarski explained the risks of driving a car related to incorrect speed selection, the harm of alcohol and psychoactive substances, as well as the driver's actions in risky situations. The attendees had the opportunity to try out the so-called drug glasses, which simulate the effect of disorientation, including reduced alertness, delayed reaction time, confusion and distortion of vision, resulting from drug use. The winner of 20 championship titles said that young drivers have even more responsibilities to society, as their lack of experience and training can create a greater prerequisite for traffic accidents.

After the theoretical part of the seminar, a demonstration was held in the courtyard of the educational institution. For this purpose, those who wanted to had the opportunity to get into a special car, made to simulate a loss of control. Iliya Tsarski showed the students how the vehicle can be positioned correctly on the road surface.

The campaign is being implemented by the Ministry of Education for the second consecutive year together with the Avtotsar Rally Sports Club Association and is in connection with the increased number of accidents with children and adolescents on the road. Guests of the event were also Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev, Boryana Petkova from the RDE - Ruse, representatives of the Ministry of Interior - Ruse and the Ruse University "Angel Kanchev", as well as teachers from various schools in the city.