First Cruise Ship of the Season Docks at Ruse’s Pontoon 9

Today, the first cruise ship of the season, "AmaVerde", docked at Pontoon 9 on the Ruse quay. The vessel began its journey from Budapest, carrying 142 passengers, mainly from the USA, Canada, and the UK. The guests were welcomed at the quay by Ruse Deputy Mayor Zlatomira Stefanova.

"I believe this season will be filled with many positive emotions and unforgettable experiences for all visitors who choose Ruse as a stop along their Danube route. The Municipality of Ruse will continue working actively to improve infrastructure and tourism conditions, creating an even better environment for all travelers," said the Deputy Mayor.

She also wished the "Balkan Tours" team success in their development, new partnerships, and satisfaction in their work. Zlatomira Stefanova greeted the ship’s captain, Pavel Pavlov, extending her best wishes for a safe sailing season and smooth voyages.

A Busy Cruise Season Ahead for Ruse

This season, around 500 cruise ship dockings are expected in Ruse. While the journeys start in late March, they will continue through December, allowing tourists to explore the city even during the Christmas holidays. In 2025, passengers mainly from the USA, Canada, the UK, and France are expected to visit the Lower Danube’s landmarks.

Exploring Bulgaria’s History and Nature

Passengers of "AmaVerde" had the option to take an excursion to Bulgaria’s old capital, Veliko Tarnovo, or to explore the beauty of Ruse and the Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches. Later this evening, the cruise will set sail for Giurgiu, Romania.

Solemn Iftar Dinner Held in Ruse to Mark the Holy Month of Ramadan

A solemn iftar dinner was held in Ruse to mark the holy month of Ramadan. The event was hosted by the Regional Mufti’s Office and was attended by Deputy Mayor of Ruse Zlatomira Stefanova, Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev, Deputy Grand Mufti Ahmed Hasanov, Mehmet Ungan, Attaché at the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Burgas, as well as representatives of state and local authorities, public figures, and spiritual leaders from various religious communities. Their presence was a sign of respect for the traditions and values of this sacred period for Muslims.

A Symbol of Tolerance and Unity

In her address, Deputy Mayor Zlatomira Stefanova emphasized the importance of tolerance and understanding among the communities in Ruse.

"Our city has always been a great example of peaceful coexistence between different cultures and traditions. Tonight’s gathering is a symbol of the respect and tolerance that strengthen our society. The municipal administration highly appreciates the contribution of the Regional Mufti’s Office to spiritual development and social engagement in our city and region. Your efforts to promote tolerance and dialogue are crucial for building a harmonious and prosperous society," she stated.

Messages of Solidarity and Spiritual Reflection

The Regional Mufti, Yücel Hayreddin, welcomed the guests and expressed his gratitude for honoring the tradition. He highlighted that Ramadan is not only a time of fasting but also a period of spiritual purification, humility, and mutual support.

"We are together today because we understand that, despite our differences, we share common human values—kindness, compassion, and respect. The times we live in present us with challenges, but if we stand united, we will preserve the spirit of understanding and harmony," he said.

Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev also delivered a message of solidarity and kindness, noting that iftar is not just a meal but a symbol of togetherness and human warmth.

Deputy Grand Mufti Ahmed Hasanov pointed out that the tradition of iftar unites people and fosters empathy.

"For centuries, we have lived together, sharing both joys and challenges. Despite our differences, we are connected by values such as kindness, patience, and tolerance," he emphasized.

Unity and Respect Across Faiths

Mehmet Ungan, Attaché at the Turkish Consulate General in Burgas, also addressed the attendees, highlighting the importance of respect between different religious communities.

"The most important thing is to live in understanding, support one another, and do good. In a world full of challenges, our greatest strength is our unity," he said.

Following the official speeches, the guests enjoyed traditional dishes and engaged in conversations in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect. The evening concluded with wishes for peace, prosperity, and unity.

The Significance of Iftar and Ramadan

Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan. It is one of the most important rituals in the Islamic faith, observed by millions of Muslims worldwide. Iftar is a time for prayer, reflection, gratitude, and spiritual renewal, bringing together families and friends to share a meal.

This year, the religious holiday Ramadan Bayram, also known as Şeker Bayram (Eid al-Fitr), will be observed on March 31 and April 1.

Today, the competition "Farms in Extreme Climate" was held in the gym of "Lyuben Karavelov" Primary School. The event brought together dozens of students from several schools in Ruse, who were tasked with creating models of farms capable of withstanding challenging climate conditions.

A special guest at the competition was Tanya Todorova, head of the Education Department at Ruse Municipality, who presented a congratulatory address to the school’s principal, Veselka Nikolaeva, on behalf of Mayor Pencho Milkov. In his message, the mayor expressed his gratitude to the "Lyuben Karavelov" school team for providing young people with a platform for creativity, innovation, and teamwork. He also emphasized his belief that the competition would encourage students to think about sustainable development, ecology, and technological solutions that could improve people’s lives even in the most challenging conditions.

The competition featured enthusiastic students eager to demonstrate their engineering skills, logical thinking, and teamwork abilities. They faced various challenges requiring not only technical knowledge but also creative problem-solving approaches. The teams created impressive structures and robots, showcasing innovative solutions and strategic thinking.

The projects were evaluated by a jury consisting of Maria Radanova and Blagovesta Ilieva—teachers at the Center for Student Technical and Scientific Creativity (CSTSC) – Ruse and specialists in science and technology. The jury assessed the projects based on creativity, functionality, execution efficiency, and presentation skills. The winners were awarded prizes and certificates for their outstanding achievements.

Another guest at the event was Anelia Angelova, a senior expert at the Regional Education Department – Ruse. Dozens of teachers, students, and parents also attended to support the participants.

The event is part of "Lyuben Karavelov" Primary School’s efforts to promote learning through play and practical experience, preparing young talents for the challenges of the digital era.

Winners of the 18th Photography and Drawing Contest Dedicated to World Water Day Awarded

The winners of the 18th edition of the photography and drawing contest dedicated to World Water Day were awarded today at a ceremony at the Municipal Youth Center. The event took place in the Great Hall, where an exhibition of the winning artworks was displayed. The initiative, organized by the Municipal Youth Center and "Water Supply and Sewerage Company – Ruse", focused on glacier preservation. The drawing category was conducted on a national level, while the photography category was international, featuring participants from nine countries.

Professor Lyubomir Vladimirov, Director of the Municipal Directorate for Ecology and Green Urban Environment, congratulated the organizers and participants. On behalf of Mayor Pencho Milkov, he presented a congratulatory address to the director of the Municipal Youth Center, Krasimira Nikolaeva. Professor Vladimirov emphasized that water-related issues affect all people on Earth.

"This is why it is crucial to encourage a global dialogue on these topics from an early age. Through their artworks, young artists and photographers have created impressive pieces and sent a powerful message to the world—it's time to act now to preserve the glaciers for future generations."

He then presented awards to some of the winners.

Another guest at the event was Ilian Milev, the manager of ViK Ruse, who also congratulated the winners. Special attendees included Marinela Anghel, a teacher from Giurgiu, who arrived with her students—contest participants in the photography category. Dasha Batembergska, an artist from Targovishte and leader of an internationally recognized art school, also attended.

The festive atmosphere was enriched by an artistic program performed by clubs from the Youth Center. It featured folk dances by Folklore Studio "Zora", a Wushu martial arts demonstration by Wushu Club led by Maria Nedelcheva and Iskra Boneva, as well as dance performances by the "Impulse" Ballet Studio.

All attendees watched an informational film about the cryosphere and the effects of global warming. The film is part of the United Nations’ informational resources, and the contest always aligns with the UN’s annual theme for World Water Day.

465 Artworks from 9 Countries

This year, the competition received 465 entries—313 drawings and 152 photographs. A total of 84 photos came from Bulgaria, while 68 were submitted from abroad, representing Poland, Greece, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, and Egypt.

The organizers from Municipal Youth Center-Ruse and "Water Supply and Sewerage Company – Ruse" prepared over 150 awards, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes, special awards, and honorary mentions in both categories. The winners were selected by two juries.

Jury Members for the Drawing Category

Eslitsa Popova – Director of the Art Gallery, jury chair

Valentin Georgiev – Artist, sculptor, and cartoonist

Georgi Georgiev – Artist, teacher, and restorer

Jury Members for the Photography Category

Petar Stamenkov – Professional photographer

Nikolay Nedelchev – Youth worker and amateur photographer

Lyudmila Lyubenova – Youth worker and prepress designer

Special Awards

Mayor’s Award: Artem Malok (Ruse), Viktoria Rumenova (Sofia), and Daniel Georgiev (Haskovo)

Deputy Mayor for Sports and Youth Activities Award: Selay Mustafa (Haskovo) and Maria Angelova (Ruse)

Deputy Mayor for Environmental Protection and Public Utilities Award: Fatima Rozmanova (Lazhnitsa, Gotse Delchev Municipality)

Ecology and Green Urban Environment Directorate Award: Nancy Nikolova (Silistra)

A Platform for Young Talents

The contest is part of the "Program for the Protection of Gifted Children" in Ruse Municipality for 2025. The event concluded with a message to young artists to continue developing their artistic skills and to keep using art as a voice for environmental awareness.

The awards will soon be sent to winners across Bulgaria and abroad, while organizers look ahead to World Water Day 2026.

 Full list of awardees – see here.

Actor Sergio Avakyan from the Puppet Theater – Ruse received the prestigious nomination for the “Sivina” Award 2025. He was honored for his performance in the roles of Grandfather and Bear in the play “Masha and the Bear”, directed by Valentin Vladimirov – Valyaka.

This year, a record 21 proposals were received for a total of 20 nominations, which emphasizes the importance of recognition and competition among young puppet actors. The award ceremony will be held on March 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Capital Puppet Theater, salon “Gen. Gurko” 14. The event is part of the “Week of Puppet Art”, organized by AKT-UNIMA Bulgaria on the occasion of World Puppet Theater Day.

Sergio Avakyan graduated from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts and Film "Krastyo Sarafov", majoring in "Acting for Puppet Theater", in the class of Prof. Dr. Konstantin Karakostov. After graduation, he chose to return to his hometown, where he became part of the Puppet Theater - Ruse. Even during his studies, he participated in various theater projects, and after graduation, he quickly established himself as a bright image on the Ruse stage.

The audience of the Puppet Theater - Ruse already knows him for his roles in the performances "Masha and the Bear", "Winnie the Pooh" and "The Tale of Bobby and a Gang of Microbes". With his dynamic acting, expressiveness and contact with the audience, he quickly won the sympathy of the audience. In addition to his theatrical role, Avakyan also performs as a musician, developing independent musical projects, composing and playing the guitar.

The "Sivina" Award was established in 2009. in the name of Sivina Sivinova – one of the brightest young actresses in the Sofia Puppet Theater. The name of the award is a tribute and homage to the creativity of the entire talented Sivinov acting family – Ivan, Vanya, Nina and Sivina. The distinction is awarded annually to a prominent young puppet actor and is presented by AKT-UNIMA Bulgaria on March 21 – the day on which, by decision of UNIMA and UNESCO, the world celebrates the art of puppet theater.

Sergio Avakian’s nomination is not only a personal recognition of his talent, but also another proof of the strong presence of the Puppet Theater – Ruse on the theater scene in Bulgaria.