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.

Two students from the Sports School were honored by Mayor Pencho Milkov as Athletes of the Month for their outstanding achievements in wrestling and sambo. The Athlete of the Month for January was ninth-grader Racho Stefanov, who won the boys’ republican title in freestyle wrestling in the 85 kg category. The Athlete of the Month for February is Simon Yordanov from 11th grade, republican champion in combat sambo for youth in the 71 kg category.

The Mayor congratulated the champions on their success and presented them with official congratulatory addresses. “With your titles, you have proven that with hard work and discipline, anything is possible. You are the pride of our city and inspire many of your peers to follow your path. If you approach everything in life the same way you approach sports now, you will always be successful people. The most important thing is to be healthy and protect yourself from injuries,” the Mayor wished them. He emphasized that both competitors have shown firmness and resilience in their psyche and physique, and this helps them to prevail over their competitors.

Racho Stefanov's next goal is his participation in the European Wrestling Championship in July in Italy. Yordanov is preparing for the World Championship in Indonesia in October. He shared that when he received the gold medal as a republican champion, he promised himself the same distinction at the World Championship.

The youth commented that sport gives as much as it takes, but winning the championship title is an unforgettable experience.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Mayor Borislav Rachev, Director of ME "Sports Properties" Lachezar Ivanov and Director of the Sports School Evgeni Nedev.

A hall dedicated to the past and present of the Bulgarian soldier was officially opened today in the building of the Military District I Degree – Ruse. The event was attended by Mayor Pencho Milkov, Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev and the Head of the Military District I Degree – Ruse, Colonel Vasil Petrov.

The mayor emphasized the importance of the hall as a place for preserving national memory and inspiration for the younger generations. “You, the Bulgarian officers, active and reserve, set an example and build a sense of patriotism and belonging in society. It is our duty to preserve historical memory and pass on to future generations the values ​​of honor, duty and sacrifice. I am convinced that this hall will not just be a museum, but a living link between the past and the future,” said Pencho Milkov. He thanked the leadership of the Military District for the efforts invested in implementing this initiative.

Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev also expressed confidence that the new exhibition will contribute to the upbringing of young people in the spirit of patriotism. “History is not only the past, it is a lesson for the future. Here generations will meet, stories of courage and sacrifice will be told, new inspirations will be born,” he noted.

Colonel Vasil Petrov emphasized that the hall will be used not only as a place to preserve military-patriotic traditions, but also to inform young people about career opportunities in the Bulgarian Army. “Our goal is to show adolescents that military service is not only a profession, but also a calling. The history of the Bulgarian warrior is an example of valor and courage, which must be passed on to future generations,” he said.

At the official opening, a water blessing ceremony was performed by Father Rosen Georgiev from the St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in Ruse. The XIII Guards Youth Detachment also participated in the ceremony. Among the guests of the event were the Head of the Regional Department of Education Dr. Rositsa Georgieva, the Director of the Municipal Youth Center Krasimira Nikolaeva, Eng. Ivaylo Bashalov, Executive Director of "Port Complex - Ruse", the Head of the Military Club Denitsa Asparuhova, the Head of the Military District I Degree - Varna Colonel Diyan Zhelev, as well as representatives of the management of the Ruse garrison.

In the "Bulgarian Warrior" hall, which has an area of ​​about 20 sq. m., nearly 100 exhibits related to the history and present of the Bulgarian Army are exhibited. Among them are uniforms of Bulgarian servicemen over the years, training models of weapons, protective equipment and means of communication.

Visitors can see a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher RPG-7, various types of anti-personnel mines and training grenades. A special place in the exhibition is dedicated to the Fifth Danube Infantry Regiment, with portraits and biographical information about its distinguished commanders – Generals Andrey Blaskov and Vasil Kutinchev.

An important highlight in the hall is the information corner dedicated to the opportunities for joining the Bulgarian Army. It contains information about the requirements for candidates for military service, as well as about admission to higher military schools.

After the inauguration, the guests had the opportunity to view the exhibition. The future initiatives of the Military District – Ruse to popularize military service were also discussed.

On March 9, the award ceremony for the distinguished singers and instrumentalists of the 17th edition of the National Folklore Competition “Danube Nightingales” took place in the Income Building. The biggest award – the Grand Prix – deservedly went to the Folk Choir with conductor Angel Slavov and the Orchestra with conductor Stoimen Dobrev at the National School of Folklore Arts “Philip Kutev” in Kotel.

For two days, over 500 children and young people from all over the country showed their immense talent and their love for the beautiful Bulgarian folklore and made it difficult for the jury, which for another year was chaired by Academician Milcho Vassilev from the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv.

4-year-old artistic singer Yanitsa Parvanova from the Folklore Formation “Slaveycheta” at the Music Center “Onix” in the city of Targovishte charmed the audience and the jury and received a diploma for the youngest performer.

The organizers of the competition are the Municipality of Ruse and the Municipal Children's Center for Culture and Art. The numerous spectators in the Great Hall of the Income Building also enjoyed the magnificent performances of the great folk singer Valya Balkanska and the virtuoso bagpiper Petar Yanev.

You can see the winners of the XVII National Folklore Competition "Danube Nightingales" here.

The regional organization of Jews "Shalom" in Ruse, headed by Panayot Totev, celebrated 82 years since the rescue of Bulgarian Jews with a solemn ceremony. Flowers were laid in front of the memorial plaque dedicated to the Ruse citizenship, which provided assistance and contributed to preventing the deportation of thousands of Jews during World War II.

Among those present were the deputy mayor of the Ruse municipality Dimitar Nedev, the deputy regional governor Georgi Georgiev, members of the organization and grateful citizens.

"The rescue of nearly 50,000 Bulgarian Jews is one of the most remarkable acts of humanity and courage in the history of Bulgaria. And one of the brightest proofs of the power of humanity and civic valor. This feat reminds us that humanity and moral responsibility can triumph even in the darkest times. Today, it is our duty to preserve his memory and pass on the lessons to future generations,” said Deputy Mayor Dimitar Nedev in his speech.

Deputy Regional Governor Georgi Georgiev pointed out that at a time when Europe is engulfed in the darkness of Nazism, Bulgaria is giving the world an invaluable lesson that courage and dignity can overcome injustice. “This act will forever remain in history as a symbol of civic responsibility and protection of human dignity,” Georgiev pointed out.

Diana Ganeva from “Shalom”-Ruse shared that according to a Jewish proverb, if you save one human life, you save the entire world, and the Bulgarian people did it 82 years ago 50,000 times.

At the end of the ceremony, those present honored the memory of the victims of the Holocaust with a minute of silence, and dozens of white balloons flew in the sky over Ruse - a symbol of gratitude to those who, with determination and courage, protected Bulgarian Jews during the war.