site.bta13 Municipalities Sign Memorandum Supporting Burgas Bid for 2032 European Capital of Culture

The mayors of the 13 municipalities in Burgas Region Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in support of Burgas' bid for European Capital of Culture in 2032. As part of the signing ceremony, they put together a puzzle depicting Burgas Region to demonstrate their unity around Burgas' candidacy.  

Each of them placed a piece representing the identity and characteristics of their municipality – a visual sign of a common cause and partnership. 

The ceremony was attended by Burgas Regional Governor Vladimir Krumov, mayors of municipalities in the region, deputy mayors, as well as representatives of institutions and the cultural sector. 

The municipal councils of all 13 municipalities in Burgas Region have already adopted declarations in support of the initiative, recalled Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov. He thanked the other 12 municipal administrations in the region for their quick response and unanimous support. He emphasized that the competition for European Capital of Culture has already begun, and within a year, the Burgas bid team must submit the complete documentation. "This title is extremely important not only for the cultural sphere, but also for tourism, sports, industry, the development of youth activities, infrastructure, and the self-esteem of the region. Our region is perhaps the most mobilized in this common synergy," Nikolov said. 

Regional Governor Vladimir Krumov also expressed confidence in the success of the bid. "Unity is strength. I am convinced that our region can and will achieve this extraordinary challenge. Burgas Region has always been an example and innovator in setting and achieving its goals," he said. 

Ruska Boyadzhieva, executive director of the Burgas 2032 Foundation, told journalists after the ceremony that Burgas' bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2032 is being prepared with a focus on the long-term transformation of the city and the region, rather than as a one-off cultural event. The team of the foundation, which was specially created to lead the application process, aims to build one of the strongest programmes for European Capital of Culture within a year. The programme would not be just a celebration or presentation of Burgas' cultural potential, but would address the real challenges facing the city and the region - culturally, socially, and economically.

"What the title of European Capital of Culture values is openness – speaking honestly about problems and offering concrete and realistic solutions," Boyadzhieva said. According to her, the candidacy must be based on a transformation of the city with ambitions that go beyond 2032. In this context, the Burgas 2032 Foundation plans to democratize the process of creating the program by announcing an open call for ideas, events, and cultural projects in the near future. The call will be published on the Foundation's website and is aimed at a wide range of participants.

Boyadzhieva explained that Burgas is only competing with other Bulgarian cities, as each EU Member State selects its own candidate for the title. For 2032, competitions are being held in parallel in Bulgaria and Denmark, with the evaluation being carried out by the same jury. The deadline for submitting Bulgarian applications is January 2027. Thus far, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, and Stara Zagora have officially announced their participation in the competition, Boyadzhieva specified.