Zlatomira Stefanova kicked off the long-awaited festival "Urban Wine Fest Ruse"
Friday, 26 September 2025
Deputy Mayor Zlatomira Stefanova opened the two-day “Urban Wine Fest Ruse”, which is the first in a series of city wine festivals. The event took place on the stage in front of the Courthouse and gathered hundreds of Ruse residents and guests of the city.
“Urban Wine Fest” is living proof that Ruse can be home to both cultural and historical treasures and events that attract people from near and far with their atmosphere and taste. The festival gives us the opportunity to be proud of our wine and our traditions, while at the same time opening the city to new meetings, friendships and tourist trips. Because wine culture is also part of the image of a modern European city – which Ruse deserves to be recognized for,” said Deputy Mayor Stefanova. She extended special thanks to the organizers of the event, represented by the Chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals Zhivko Enchev, for the implementation of the wonderful initiative, which aims to popularize Bulgarian wine and local varieties.
After the official opening, those interested could join the art workshop “Wine as Creative Inspiration”. On Saturday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., all wine lovers will be able to learn interesting facts about Bulgarian varieties and draw their work together with the smiling girls from the “Jade by Vivent” event center. Participation in the workshops is free, but with advance registration, as places are limited.
On the square in front of the Courthouse, at a specially located wine bar, tastings of over 40 Bulgarian and a selection of Romanian wines from local varieties took place. They were presented by the experts of the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals. An excellent accompaniment to the grape drink are the delicious offerings of "Violi Fasta Pasta", Sushi Bar Ruse, meat delicacies from Golyamo Vranovo and farm cheeses from "Rodopa Milk", which those present had the opportunity to try.
On the first festival evening, Big Band Ruse took the stage under the baton of Dimcho Rubchev. On Saturday, the organizers have invited Militsa Gladnishka and the group "The Fox and the Cats", which will start at 7 p.m. During the rest of the time, DJ Rulepeace will challenge everyone to dance with a glass of wine in hand.
On September 27 (Saturday), two thematic master classes will be held in the "Europe" hall of the Profitable Building by Bulgarian and Romanian guest lecturers:
• 12:00 p.m. - "Importance of local varieties for building a wine identity", presented by Cesar Ioan and Dilyan Kolev;
• 3:00 p.m. - "Opportunities for wine tourism - good practices from Bulgaria and Romania", presented by Carmina Nitescu and Anelia Hristova.
The master classes will also include a tasting of Bulgarian and Romanian wines.
On Saturday, the International Tourism Day will also be celebrated with a presentation of the wine regions, which includes panels located in the festival area. At the separate stand of the Ministry of Tourism, everyone will be able to obtain information on how to join a wine journey.
The festival is free to enter, and the tasting and consumption of wines and food will be paid for on site. Special coupons for wine tastings, a glass of wine, bottles for consumption on site or take home will be offered. Tasting wine glasses will be provided against a deposit on site.
The "Urban Wine Fest" festivals are held throughout the month of September in 5 major cities in the country, as part of the initiative of the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals to celebrate the International Mavruda Day. The forum is part of the event calendar of Ruse and is financed by the annual program for tourism development in the municipality of Ruse for 2025 with the assistance of the ME "Ruse Art".
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