Ruse hosted the International Jiu-Jitsu Tournament for Duo and Fighting System "Ruse Open" 2024, which was held on November 16 (Saturday) in the Danube Hall. The organizers of the event are the Sports Club "Dinamo" chaired by Sensei Borislav Kisev and the Bulgarian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, with the assistance of the Municipality of Ruse.

Among the official guests of the event were Lacezar Ivanov, Director of the Municipal Enterprise "Sports Properties", Shihan Tony Petrov - Vice President of the Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the Republic of North Macedonia Alexander Atsevski and others. At the opening of the tournament, Lacezar Ivanov delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the mayor Pencho Milkov. It emphasizes that such prestigious tournaments not only put Ruse on the international map, but also contribute to the development and popularization of Jiu-Jitsu as a sport that fosters discipline, respect and the will to win. 

More than 20 clubs from all over the country joined the fight for medals. Residents of Ruse from club "Dinamo" participated with 22 judoists only in the fighting discipline and won a total of 23 medals. "There is not a single competitor from the club without a medal," said Borislav Kisev. The world champion Valentin Hasurdjiev played in two age groups - up to 14 and up to 16-year-old boys. Valentin, who is only 13 years old, won two gold medals from his participation in both groups. His brother, Iskren Hasurdzhiev, who is also a national competitor, became first in the group for children up to 10 years of age in the category up to 28 kg. Katerina Kiseva took gold in the group up to 14-year-old girls in the category up to 52 kg. Bozhidar Kisev won gold in the group up to 12-year-old boys in the category up to 36 kg. The Balkan champion Dimitar Dimitrov was uncompromising and won gold in the men's category up to 85 kg.

In the team complex ranking, which is determined by the number of gold medals won, the team from SC "Dinamo" is third with 8 gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze medals, and only in the discipline of fighting. First are the competitors from the Central Police Karate and Ju-Jitsu Club, and second - the Sports Club "Bugari" from Dimitrovgrad. 

Ruse can also host prestigious major international jiu-jitsu tournaments. Such an opportunity was discussed during their meeting by Lacezar Ivanov and Tony Petrov. Ivanov acquainted the guest with the possibilities for organizing large-scale sports events that the city offers, as well as with the experience of the local administration related to the implementation of sports events.  Talks with the federation will continue in the coming months, and visits of its representatives to Ruse are also planned to discuss possible future international events.

Photos: Ruse Municipality and Diyan Gospodinov

Two sports events for people with disabilities were held on November 16 in Arena Ruse Hall. The host was the Ruse club "Olympus-Sport is Equal", which organized the State Chess Championship and the State Badminton Championship for people with disabilities. The events were held under the auspices of the Bulgarian Paralympic Federation and were carried out with the assistance of the Municipality of Ruse.

More than 30 competitors from 5 teams from Sofia, Sliven, Plovdiv, Yambol and Sevlievo arrived in Ruse. The citizens of Ruse performed with 8 participants in chess and three in badminton.

The sports events were opened by Lacezar Ivanov, director of the municipal enterprise "Sports Properties". He wished the competitors a sportsman's battle for medals and to experience the joy of the game. Ivanov handed over to the chairman of the sports club "Olimp" Georgi Gaev a congratulatory address from the mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov. It says that tournament participants inspire thousands of others to believe in their abilities and prove that success is achievable for everyone, regardless of the circumstances. Iliya Lalov, President of the Bulgarian Paralympic Federation, also greeted the attendees. He presented Lacezar Ivanov with an honorary plaque from the federation at the Municipality of Ruse as a sign of appreciation that the local government contributes both to the development of sports and to the improvement of the quality of life of people with disabilities.

The State Chess Championship was held with complete domination of the citizens of Ruse. In the men's category, Emanuil Bachvarov is first, Georgi Gaev is second, and Teodor Nenov is third. All three winners are members of the Ruse club "Olimp". In the team ranking, the first place is taken by "Olimp", the second - the team of Yambol "SKI-99", and the third - "Thracians" from Plovdiv. In the women's category, Penka Popova from "Olympus" took first place, Plovdiv residents Lydia Avgustinova and Rumyana Mileva remained in second and third place. Team first are Ruse, second are Plovdiv women, and third are the ladies from the "Blue Stones" club from Sliven.

At the State Badminton Championship, the best performance among men was the team of "Olimp", the silver medal was won by the team of "SKI-99" from Yambol, and the bronze went to the athletes from "Orel" - Sofia. In the women's category, the winner is the team of "Traki" - Plovdiv, the second are the competitors of "Blue Stones" - Sliven, and the third are the participants from "SKI-99" from Yambol.

As of today, Ruse has the most modern skate park in Bulgaria, which is also one of the unique in Europe. Hundreds of Ruse residents and guests of the city gathered at the opening of the facility in the Youth Park, and many of them took to the new challenging route. Long before the start of the ceremony, the playground was filled with children and young people who used the good weather to enjoy the sports facility.

The opening was attended by the Mayor of Ruse Pencho Milkov, the member of the Board of the Bulgarian Skateboard Federation Nikolay Georgiev, the head of the team that built the facility - Georgi Georgiev, and representatives of the local administration. 

"Never listen to the skeptics!". With these words, Mayor Pencho Milkov addressed the attendees. "When we said that we were going to build a skate playground in the Youth Park, hundreds of voices were heard - but why here, it will be noisy, this is extra money. The wave of skepticism was very big. I appeal to the people of Ruse – use the facility, it is made for you. Teach young people to play sports and be outside, not in front of phones. Store the skate park and develop it further. Make races and win them. And most of all – be a community and be united!", said the mayor.  

Father Simeon from the "Church of the Holy Dormition of the Mother of God" consecrated the skate park.

Nikolay Georgiev congratulated the attendees, thanking the mayor for his efforts to make such a facility. The head of the company that built the site apologized for the delay in its construction. There are very few parks in the world with such granite appliances as in Ruse, which is a luxury for a facility. In addition, here for the first time in Bulgaria the combination of a concrete skate park and an asphalt pump track is offered," said Georgi Georgiev. The artist Victoria Georgieva, who painted the park, wished success to the skaters in Ruse and to the young people who love this sport.

The celebration continued with attractive demonstrations of over 20 professional skaters, bladers, bikers and scooter riders, who raised the adrenaline and delighted the spectators with their skills. They are representatives of different cities and disciplines, winners of national and international awards. The participants demonstrated spectacular tricks and stunts, refreshing themselves with Devin water.

The highlight of the show was the famous hip-hop artists Secta and Homelesz. "Remember that true love is unconditional and unconditional. We love ourselves as we love our enemy. If we make the decision that this world will be a boon to us, we must first be a boon to it. Our young people and children should have a field for development," the popular singer Secta addressed the audience. 

The host of the event was the influencer Tony Enchev.  The celebration ended with performances by the rock band from the English High School. 

The wishes of both skaters and organizers are that Ruse attracts athletes and tourists from other cities and countries.

On the Main Stage of the Dokhodno zdanie, the two-day "Jazz Ruse Fest 2024" began tonight, during which emblematic musicians will perform in front of the Ruse audience. The beginning of the festival was given by the mayor Pencho Milkov. The event is organized by the Municipality of Ruse, with the support of the Municipal Enterprise "Ruse Art", the Club of Cultural Workers in Ruse, "Dunarit" Ltd, "Utro" newspaper, Schlager Radio, UniCo Ltd., Ruse Jazz College, Max club Ruse.

 "Ruse is proud of many first things in its history, but one of them, which no other city can boast of, is jazz. It is a great honor for me to be on this stage tonight and to welcome so many stars of jazz music. I can immodestly say that today and tomorrow Ruse is becoming the jazz capital of Bulgaria," the mayor addressed the audience in the crowded Great Hall. He expressed special thanks to Teodosii Spasov, who is also the program director of the festival.

On the first festival evening, the musicians from "Zhivko Petrov Trio" stuck on the stage. Petrov is one of the most prominent Bulgarian jazz pianists and composers, Dimitar Semov is a drummer, percussionist and composer, and Dimitar Karamfilov is among the most sought-after concert and studio double bass players in Bulgaria.

The evening continues with the Artur Dutkiewicz Trio, in which the prominent Polish pianist Artur Dutkiewicz, double bass player Michal Baranski and drummer Sebastian Kuchczynski play. After the concerts, the "RJS Quartet" opens a jam session at Max Club at 10:00 p.m. The quartet includes Bulgarian musicians Anatoly Angelov /saxophone/, Svetoslav Nedelchev /bass/, Alexander Atanasov /guitar/ and Lazar Benov /drums/, who combine classical jazz with contemporary elements.

Tomorrow, November 16 /Saturday/ the festival continues with performances by the duo Tihomir Hoysak - double bass, and Filip Novosel - tambura. They are joined by drummer Jean John / Žan Tetičkovič - drums.

The emblematic Big Band Ruse will offer traditional jazz with a large line-up of professional musicians. The charismatic Hilda Kazasyan will perform popular jazz standards and new interpretations. The line-up also includes Vasil Petrov – one of the most prominent Bulgarian jazz singers; Theodosii Spasov – a virtuoso of the kaval, who weaves ethno motifs into jazz compositions, creating a unique sound.

The festival ends with a jam session with Caner Kaptan Trio at Max club at 10:00 p.m. The trio includes Caner Kaptan - bass, Petar Petrov - piano and Svilen Nachev - drums.

Earlier today, the exhibition "Faces of Jazz" was opened in the lobby of the Profitable Building, which includes photographs from previous editions of "Jazz Ruse Fest 2024". They are mostly the work of the Ruse photographer and musician Petar Stamenkov, and archival footage from the Club of Cultural Workers is also used. The exposition will remain for those wishing to see it until November 27.

The host of the festival is Miroslava Katsarova - a jazz singer who hosts shows on radio "Jazz FM".

The exhibition "Winter Holidays" was opened tonight for the first time in Ruse. So far, the Society of Ruse Artists has not made an exhibition that summarizes all the winter holidays and for the first time the artists arrange their works with the idea of provoking in the citizens the anticipation of Christmas and New Year.

The opening was attended by Tsvetoslav Dimitrov, Director of the Education and Culture Directorate in the Municipality of Ruse. He delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the Mayor of Ruse Municipality Pencho Milkov. "Each exhibited work reflects the festive spirit and cultural richness of our community and the changes in our perceptions of the modern times in which we live. The works tell exciting stories, offering viewers a glimpse into the authors' spiritual journeys. The exposition is more than an artistic event - it is an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the inspiration and miracle of the season, in the traditions and creativity of the community," says the mayor's congratulatory address on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition.

The kingdom and triumph of winter is the theme of all the works on display. Approximately 20 artists working in the field of painting are represented. Visitors will be able to enjoy their creative fantasy, recreated with oil paints, watercolor and acrylic. Kolev commented that the works can become part of the gifts that the people of Ruse are preparing for the upcoming holidays.

The next exhibitions are the solo exhibition of Nikolay Kolev, which opens on November 28, and the Christmas exhibition of the Society of Artists in Ruse. The exhibition "Winter Holidays" can be viewed until November 27.