A ceremony in the courtyard of the First District Office in Ruse marked the professional holiday of Bulgarian firefighters and rescuers, part of the traditional "Fire Safety Week", which aims to raise awareness among citizens about the activities of firefighters and encourage continuity between generations. The event was held in front of the monument to the fallen firefighters, and was attended by the Director of the Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection" - Ruse Commissioner Svetoslav Voychev, Deputy Mayor Zlatomira Stefanova, Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov, Deputy Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Commissioner Alexander Kovachev, Director of the Secretariat of the Regional Council of the Bulgarian Red Cross in Ruse Antoaneta Yabanozova, current and former employees of the Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection" - Ruse, etc.

Commissioner Svetoslav Voychev welcomed the attendees and said: “Today is an occasion to express our gratitude to all our colleagues who serve the community with professionalism and courage every day. Your work is not just a performance of duties, but a demonstration of dedication, discipline and readiness to help people in the most difficult moments. Each intervention is an expression of the high responsibility we bear as firefighters, and shows that through preparation and teamwork we can overcome any challenge.”

In her address, Deputy Mayor Zlatomira Stefanova congratulated the firefighters for their courage and professionalism. “You are an example of determination, discipline and solidarity, qualities that inspire society and show the power of continuity between generations. Your work is proof that true service to society requires dedication and heart,” Stefanova pointed out.

Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov, Deputy Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Commissioner Alexander Kovachev and Director of the Secretariat of the Regional Council of the Bulgarian Red Cross in Ruse Antoaneta Yabanozova also expressed their gratitude for the work of the firefighters, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and cooperation with the formations of the Fire Service.

After the official greetings, a minute of silence was paid and wreaths and flowers were laid in front of the monument to the eight Ruse firefighters and to Nikolay Elefterov from Byala, who died in the line of duty.

During the "Fire Safety Week", numerous initiatives were implemented - visits to the "Museum of Firefighting" at the First Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection" - Ruse, open telephone lines for citizens, an open day for students and citizens, meetings with veterans and former employees, demonstrations of fire and rescue equipment, etc.

On the occasion of the professional holiday, employees of the Regional Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection" - Ruse received high awards and praise for demonstrated initiative, professionalism and achieved lasting results in the performance of official tasks.

A day before the long-awaited fourth edition of the Garash Cake Festival, the employees of the  МЕ "Ruse Art" have placed models of the chocolate dessert in the central part of Ruse. Those wishing to take pictures with the sweet temptation can do so on "Prince Al. Battenberg" Square and in front of the Freedom Monument. The event is organized by the Ruse Municipality, МЕ "Ruse Art"  and the "Ruse - City of the Free Spirit" Municipal Foundation.

The Garash Cake Festival will begin on September 13 /Saturday/ at 10 a.m. on the stage next to the Courthouse, when the official opening will take place. Then the Garash Homemade Cake Competition will also begin, in which this year there is a record number of registered participants - nearly 100. They will compete in two categories - for a classic recipe for the chocolate dessert and for an unconventional interpretation of the cake. A jury chaired by the internationally renowned pastry chef Ivan Alexandrov and members - chef Ivan Saramandov, who worked in a 3-star Michelin restaurant, chef Momchil Kirilov from Fitness Chef Ruse, chef Svetlomir Petrov - head chef of Dunav Plaza, and Ruse chef Daria Rusanova, who has taken master classes with some of the most popular pastry chefs in Bulgaria and around the world, will select the best sweet delights.

Also at 10 a.m., the Children Champions Academy will hold competitions for the youngest Ruse residents and their parents in front of the Ruse Municipality building. At 11 a.m., the first of a total of 3 free guided tours will depart from the Freedom Monument. The next hours for exploring Ruse and its sights are 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The children's master class in pastry with chef Ivan Alexandrov will begin at 12:00 p.m. on the Largo in front of the Opera House. Under the guidance of the professional team, children will have the opportunity to prepare a “Garash” cake themselves and will receive diplomas and sweet surprises for their participation. At the same time, the famous confectioner will demonstrate the preparation of miniature “Garash” bites according to his recipe, which all those present will be able to enjoy. This demonstration will take place on the stage next to the Courthouse between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Throughout the day, Ruse residents and guests of the city will be able to shoot videos and photos for remembrance in the special photo booth “360 Selfie Moments”, located in front of the Freedom Monument. The workshop “Drawing a Cake in the Sky” organized by the team of the Ruse Art Gallery has also been prepared for young and old, where participants will draw, inspired by the work of the same name by Gianni Rodari. It will be held in the tent opposite the Courthouse between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The popular actor Vlado Karamazov, who is the brother of Chef Alexandrov, will also make a special appearance for the holiday. He will be the host of the culinary competition, and his fans will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with him in a specially designated area in front of the Freedom Monument between 12:30 and 14:00.

The famous Ruse confectioner Daria Rusanova will also present an open master class in making chocolate candies on the stage next to the Courthouse at 14:30.

This year, the partners of the celebration are the Crazy Fish restaurant and the "Ivan P. Pavlov" Vocational High School of Tourism. The restaurant team will hold a culinary demonstration on the stage next to the Courthouse at 16:00, and the students from the school will offer entertainment for the little ones, including a children's disco and a screening of the animation "Old is Gold" on the open stage in front of the Ruse Municipality at 18:00.

The culmination of the celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by Mihaela Fileva, who will perform her most popular hits in front of the Ruse Municipality. At 8:30 p.m., Deep Zone Project will take the stage to delight the audience with their performances. The fourth edition of the Garash Cake Festival will end with the impressive laser show by Andy Faulkner, accompanied by specially selected music. Residents and guests of Ruse will be able to enjoy the light magic from 10 p.m. on Svoboda Square.

On September 17 /Wednesday/ at 2 p.m. in Hall 1 of the Ruse Municipality building, a public discussion of the Concept for Integrated Territorial Investments "Silistra, Gorna Oryahovitsa and Ruse - Integrated Territorial Development for a Sustainable Future" will be held. The document provides for combined funding under four European programs and aims to support the social, economic and infrastructural development of the three municipalities.

The main goal of the concept is to achieve territorial cohesion, social inclusion and sustainable development through integrated investments in social, health, educational, housing and urban infrastructure, as well as through measures for the development of human capital and local resources. It includes 15 project ideas that seek funding under the programs "Regional Development" 2021–2027, "Human Resources Development" 2021–2027, "Education" 2021–2027 and "Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises" 2021–2027. The selection of projects is tailored to the specific needs of local communities and aims to stimulate sustainable and integrated development.

Interested citizens and organizations can familiarize themselves with the presentation of the concept, as well as share their opinion through an online survey. Recommendations and objections can also be made by email to oic_ruse@abv.bg until September 23.

Over 120 forestry specialists arrived in Ruse to participate in the 21st Congress of the Union of European Foresters. The international forum, which includes representatives from 12 countries, began today in the Siemens Hall at the University of Ruse. The accompanying program of the congress also includes a Scientific and Practical Conference on the topic “Ludogorie and Dobrudzha – Challenges for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Face of Climate Change”.

Mayor Pencho Milkov welcomed the guests during the official opening of the congress and emphasized that holding such a prestigious event in Ruse emphasizes the city’s position as a center for international dialogue on environmental and scientific issues. “I am happy that you have chosen our region to organize a scientific conference dedicated to Ludogorie and Dobrudzha. The two regions have unique biodiversity and natural wealth that require special attention and care. As the mayor of a city located in the heart of this region, together with my team, we are ready to support all initiatives aimed at sustainable management of forest resources and nature conservation. We rely on your scientific experience to find solutions that will guarantee the future of our forests and natural values. We are ready to assist in specific nature conservation initiatives, to participate in joint projects for sustainable forest management and to provide the necessary administrative support in environmental protection activities,” said Milkov.

As a sign of gratitude for the active work to preserve the forest wealth of the region, the mayor presented a congratulatory address and an honorary plaque to Prof. Dr. Ivan Paligorov, Chairman of the Union of Foresters in Bulgaria, who is also the organizer of the forum.

Among the official guests are Eng. Stoyan Toshev - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food, Tomas Markievicz - President of the Union of European Foresters (UEF), Yavor Gechev - Advisor to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Assen Markov - Executive Director of the Executive Forestry Agency, Corresponding Member Prof. Dr. Georgi Georgiev - Director of the Institute of Forestry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, etc.

In conversations with them, the mayor discussed the dynamics of climate change and the need for a rapid response by scientists, the state and the executive branch in order to predict and prevent negative consequences on tree species and to find new approaches for the development and protection of forests in Bulgaria.

Experts made presentations on key issues for forestry in this region. The event, which continues until September 14, is organized by the Union of Foresters in Bulgaria with the assistance of the Municipality of Ruse, the University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev" and other institutions.

On September 15, when thousands of children in the country will cross the school threshold for the first time, Ruse will set an example of how culture can be an integral part of education. The State Puppet Theater will give each first-grader in the district a voucher for a free visit to the theater.

The initiative goes beyond a symbolic gesture. At a time when our society is faced with worrying manifestations of aggression between children, alienation, lack of empathy and respect, cultural and educational institutions have a mission. The theater is a space in which a child learns to empathize, to distinguish good from evil, to express feelings, to build spiritual orientations and aesthetic taste. That is why the first school day was chosen as the beginning of this initiative – because education and culture are two sides of the same responsibility: the upbringing of future citizens.

The gesture is possible thanks to the increased subsidy that the Municipality of Ruse provides to the Puppet Theater – Ruse on the basis of the mixed financing agreement. This decision of the local government is indicative of the awareness that culture is not a periphery, but an important pillar in the development of the community and the individual personality. Investment in accessible culture is an investment in the future of the city – in the development of children who will one day be responsible and creative adults.

A significant contribution to the implementation of the initiative has been made by the Regional Department of Education – Ruse. Under the leadership of Dr. Rositsa Georgieva, the institution actively helps the vouchers reach every child. In this way, education and culture demonstrate a sustainable partnership that puts the child at the center of attention – not just as a student, but as a person in the process of being built.

“When a child enters the theater hall, they do not just watch a performance – they experience it. They learn to empathize, to laugh with others, to cry with them, to seek meaning. We believe that it is through such experiences that culture can counteract the apathy and alienation that worry us today,” states the director of the Puppet Theater – Ruse, Temenuga Haralanova.

"This initiative is further proof that when institutions work together – local government, education and culture – the result is stronger than the sum of our individual efforts. The vouchers given are not just an invitation to the theatre. They are an invitation to a better society," she added.