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The municipality is the main partner of the "Ruse on Bikes" initiative

For the first time, Ruse will welcome the participants in "Danube Ultra: Odyssey 2026" with a special event at "Svoboda" Square. On August 30, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the city center will become a place for live tracking of the most prepared cyclists along the over 700-kilometer route.

Under the motto "Ruse on Bikes", the organizers invite Ruse residents and guests of the city to become part of the event and join with their bicycles at "Svoboda" Square. From 4 p.m., the audience will be able to follow the movement of the most prepared participants in "Danube Ultra" live on the interactive GPS map, and after 8 p.m., the culmination of the evening is expected - the passage of some of the most prepared through Ruse and their live welcome.

While waiting for the cyclists, visitors will be able to join the special program on the square with creative workshops, interactive activities, a charity stand, a photo wall and activities for young and old. Admission is free.

The "Ruse on Bicycles" initiative is being held this year for the first time with the organizer "Danube Ultra" and the main partner is the Municipality of Ruse. On behalf of the Ruse community, the social and event platform "Ruse on the Danube" and the "Children's Palace" are actively participating in the program. The event will be hosted by Denitsa Doncheva - founder of "Fabrica Kultura".

The "Ruse on Bicycles" initiative is being held on the occasion of the 13th edition of "Danube Ultra", the starting point of which this year is Vidin. For the first time in Ruse, a public area will be set aside with a program that turns the city not just into a point on the route, but into a meeting place between the participants and the audience.

The centerpiece of the experience will be real-time tracking of cyclists. A 55-inch screen with an interactive GPS map will be located on Svoboda Square, where visitors will be able to see the movement of the fastest participants, striving to cover the over 700-kilometer route in less than 48 hours. As they approach Ruse, the audience will be able to follow the last kilometers before their passage through the city and welcome them live.

The event will be hosted by Denitsa Doncheva - founder of "Fabrika Kultura", who will present what is happening along the route and engage the audience in interactive activities on the square.

Part of the space will be decorated with a large photo wall dedicated to the "Danube Ultra" route. "Ruse on the Danube" - an active partner of the initiative, will participate with a charity stand, and visitors will be able to take pictures and share their experience on social networks. All proceeds from the products of "Ruse on the Danube" are donated to the Alexander Rusev Foundation in support of the construction of a water rehabilitation center in Ruse.

"Children's Palace" is preparing a special program of creative workshops and activities inspired by bicycles and travel. Among them are group drawing and creative drawing with imagination. As the evening falls, the program will continue with an experience with a luminous bicycle and filming by a professional photographer.

The expectations are that the most prepared cyclists will reach Ruse after 8 p.m., when the audience at "Freedom" Square will be able to welcome them live. The exact time will depend on their pace along the route and can be followed in real time on the interactive GPS map.

"Danube Ultra" is among the most recognizable initiatives in Bulgaria for the promotion of active tourism, cycling and settlements along the Danube River and Dobrudzha. The route starts from the most northwestern settlement - the village of Kudelin, and ends in the most northeastern - the village of Durankulak, passing through over 110 settlements with a total length of about 700 km. The initiative is not a competition - participants choose their own pace, and upon successful completion they receive a certificate for completing the route. Since the start of the initiative, over 1,000 such certificates have been issued.

“The route has the potential to arouse international interest as one of the most attractive cycling destinations in the Balkans - says Boris Begamov, creator of “Danube Ultra”.

In the 2026 edition, a total of 110 cyclists from Bulgaria and Romania will start from Vidin on August 30, divided into three categories - completing the route in up to 48 hours, up to 5 days and up to 7 days. Among the participants are also residents of Ruse - Milen Shishmanov and Kamelia Varbanova will participate in the 48-hour category, and Milen Yordanov, Maria Horozova and Teodor Valchanov will complete the route in the main group for the sixth time. Among them is 83-year-old Prof. Antoaneta Momchilova from the University of Ruse, who proves for the fifth consecutive year that there is no age limit for adventures. In recent years, the Ruse resident has successfully completed the entire route many times, becoming a shining example of an active lifestyle regardless of age. Just a few months before this year's edition, Prof. Momchilova fulfilled another of her big dreams, reaching Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters above sea level on the eve of her 83rd birthday.

An evening in which classical music meets flamenco, jazz, tango and Middle Eastern influences awaits the audience in Ruse on October 10 with Ara Malikyan's "Intruso". The performance brings together different musical traditions and cultures and transforms them into the characteristic sound of the world-famous violinist.

It is precisely travels and encounters with different cultures that are among the strongest influences on Malikyan's creative path. The world-famous violinist has played in more than 50 countries, and each new place and each encounter become part of his artistic language. That is why "Intruso" brings together different traditions and transforms them into the characteristic sound of Malikyan.

The musician's story also begins with an unusual encounter. Born in Beirut to an Armenian family, Malikyan received his first violin from his father and, as a child, found a friend and ally in the instrument. At the age of 12, he gave his first major concert, and at the age of 15, he became the youngest student accepted on a state scholarship to the prestigious Music University in Hanover. Later, he continued his professional development in London.

Today, Malikyan is among the most recognizable violinists on the contemporary scene, but he himself does not accept the idea of ​​a “completed” artist. For him, a musician must constantly change, seek new sounds and step outside the familiar. It is this aspiration that lies at the heart of “Intruso” – a performance that promises an encounter with music in which different genres freely intertwine.

The Ruse audience will have the opportunity to experience this musical journey on October 10 at 7 p.m. at “Arena Ruse”. The guest appearance is part of the “Intruso” tour and is being held within the framework of the 65th edition of the International Festival “March Music Days”.

Tickets purchased for March remain valid and do not need to be validated or replaced.

For those wishing to be part of the musical evening, there are still tickets available. They can be purchased online through Entase and Kupibileti.bg.

Mayor Pencho Milkov held a meeting today with soprano Tanya Ivanova and the director of the State Opera – Ruse Plamen Beykov, who are members of the jury of the International Competition for Young Opera Singers – Tenors “Kamen’s Voice” taking place in the city. The musical forum is being organized for the third year and is in memory of the opera singer’s late husband – Kamen Chanev. The meeting was also attended by the world-famous conductor and tenor José Cura, who a few days ago played Mario Cavaradossi in the opera “Tosca” and also participated in the selection of the performers in his capacity as chairman of the jury.

“The Ruse audience knows and loves classical music. It is an honor for us that our city is hosting this competition, which, in addition to searching for opera talents, also shows us how great, true love changes us, namely – to give our best,” said the mayor. He also stated that “Kamen’s Voice” has brilliantly fulfilled its mission to date – to preserve and continue the ideas of the late Kamen Chanev for complete dedication, professionalism and honesty towards art.

During the meeting, the importance of the competition for young opera performers, the role of cultural events for the development and recognition of a city, as well as the need for Ruse to continue to be a place where great art meets its audience were discussed. It was emphasized that such forums create opportunities for young artists to be heard and take an important step in their professional path, but at the same time enrich the cultural life of the city and affirm its tradition as an important center of musical culture.
Tanya Ivanova said that she and her husband were in love with Ruse. According to her, every visit to the city was emotional, and the first thing he showed her with excitement in the city was the Income Building – a building that remains one of her favorites to this day.

José Cura shared his impressions of the organization of the competition and the joint work with the team of the State Opera – Ruse. He emphasized that he was particularly impressed by the cohesion of the team and the way in which people work together with a common goal. In his words, such a feeling of unity and collegiality is not often found in opera houses in different countries and it is this atmosphere that makes the experience in Ruse special. He also expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity for the competition to bring together young talented singers and established names from the world music scene in one place.

Tonight at 8 p.m. on the square, the audience will have the opportunity to participate directly in the third round of the International Competition for Young Opera Singers – Tenors “The Voice of Kamen”. In the round “The Artist and the City”, each participant will present a work of their choice, revealing their artistic individuality and national identity. The audience will determine their favorite and the winner of the Audience Award, which is worth 4,000 euros. The funds were donated by Sabine Schneider from Germany, who is a great admirer of the art of the late Kamen Chanev. All candidates can participate in the third round, regardless of their ranking in the final stage. Admission is free, and Ruse residents will be able to meet young tenor voices with the potential for a great international career.

The award ceremony and the final gala concert of the laureates will take place on August 27 /Thursday/ at 7 p.m. in the Opera Hall. The music during the event will be performed by the State Opera – Ruse orchestra under the baton of Maestro José Cura.

The winners of the European Junior Championship in the GT-15 class and the final round of the World Water Sports Championship in the “royal class” F-500 were awarded at an official ceremony on the Ruse pier. The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Ruse Municipality Borislav Rachev, the Mayor of Slivo Pole Municipality Valentin Atanasov, the member of the Board of Directors of the International Water Sports Federation Vahur Dzhola and the President of the Bulgarian Water Sports Federation Todor Hristov. During the ceremony, those present honored the memory of the Bulgarian pilots who died over the years with a minute of silence.

The first European Cup for Bulgaria in the GT-15 class was won by the 16-year-old Petar Stoyanov, a competitor of the Water Sports Club “Ryahovo”. The champion’s awards were presented by Valentin Atanasov. Stoyanov, who has been training since the age of 8, beat the second-place finisher, Lithuanian Elimantas Raziulis, by 74 points. The bronze medal went to Lithuanian Urte Gedrimaitu, the only woman in the race.

In the world championship in the F-500 class, the Pole Marcin Zielinski triumphed for the fourth time, winning the world championship title in addition to the final fifth round. The competitor received the championship cup from Borislav Rachev, and Vahur Joala gave him a specially made trophy with all the pilot's victories written on it. The Estonian Erko Abrams won the silver medal, and the Hungarian Attila Halas walked away with the bronze.

The awards to all the winners were presented by Deputy Mayor Borislav Rachev. He stated that Petar is a true pride for our country. "It is an extraordinary honor for me on behalf of the Municipality of Ruse and on behalf of all our fellow citizens to congratulate the champion on this undisputed European title. The victory achieved is proof that when there is talent and an unyielding spirit, there are no insurmountable competition routes. Thank you for the joy you brought us," said the deputy mayor, recalling that despite the strong wind on Sunday, the competitors successfully passed the water track. He read a congratulatory address from the Minister of Youth and Sports Encho Keryazov, which emphasized that hosting competitions of such a rank is a recognition of the development of water sports in Bulgaria. Rachev thanked Milen Marinov and Stefan Stoyanov, as well as the entire Ryahovo club, the Municipality of Slivo Pole and Valentin Atanasov, the Bulgarian and International Water Sports Federations for organizing and holding the championships.

Ruse swimmers achieved the best results in the Alexander Rusev charity tournament, which was held on August 22 and 23 in the pool of the Dunav complex. The gold medals were won by the competitors of the Lokomotiv Club - Ruse, the second place was taken by the team of the Galata Swimming Club - Varna, and the bronze medals were earned by the children from the Triathlon Dalyan Sports Club - Ruse.

Nearly 100 children from Ruse and various cities in the country participated in the 11th edition of the tournament, divided into two age groups - born in 2015–2016 and in 2017–2018. The organizer of the event is the Alexander Rusev Foundation, and the funds raised will be directed towards the construction of a specialized aquatic rehabilitation center for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities.

The tournament was opened by the Mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov, who congratulated the organizers and participants and emphasized the importance of the cause. “There are events in our city that carry a special charge, because behind them stands a huge heart and a noble cause. This tournament is just such proof that when a noble cause is embraced by the right person, the results inspire our entire community,” said Milkov and thanked Iliyan Rusev – Skuri, Chairman of the Foundation, for uniting the community around sports and kindness for another year.

During the event, visitors had the opportunity to support the cause by purchasing T-shirts, bags and other souvenirs provided by the Foundation. The funds from the sales are intended for the construction of the aquatic rehabilitation center.

Photos: Ruse Municipality and Ivo Botev