site.btaEuropean Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Varna Officially Opened

European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Varna Officially Opened
European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Varna Officially Opened
Official opening ceremony of the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Varna, May 28, 2026 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

The President of European Gymnastics, Farid Gayibov, officially opened the European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Varna, welcoming all guests in Bulgarian.

The ceremony was also attended by Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, Youth and Sports Minister Encho Keryazov, Bulgarian Olympic Committee President-elect Vesela Lecheva, Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee President Eliso Bedoshvili, Rhythmic Technical Committee Member Isabell Sawade, Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation President Krasimir Dunev and Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation President Iliana Raeva. To the sounds of the Representative Brass Band of the Bulgarian Navy with conductor Captain third rank Georgi Zayranov, the audience saluted the flags of the participating countries. A record 43 countries participate in this year's European Championships, 40 teams in the senior individual and 40 teams in the junior individual, a total of 106 individual gymnasts and 26 groups.

The President of European Gymnastics Gayibov opened the competition and wished success to the competitors, coaches and judges. Varna Mayor Kotsev welcomed the participants and guests of the championship. Youth and Sports Minister Keryazov said that he was proud of the historic medal won for Bulgaria on the first day of the championship in the junior team competition.

"It is a pleasure for me to be here at the official opening ceremony of the European Championships. Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that combines grace, hard work and high professionalism. Bulgaria has great traditions in this sport. And I, as the Youth and Sports Minister, am extremely proud that Bulgaria started with a historic victory. Bulgaria has proven more than once that it will be able to host a competition of the highest class. And is where I should thank the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and its president Iliana Raeva for the perfect organization. I want to wish all competitors success, composure, let them show the best they are capable of," Keryazov said.

The official opening ended with a special programme, prepared by acrobat Zdravena Nakeva and children from all rhythmic gymnastics clubs from the city of Varna with the special participation of students from the Academic Dance Theatre at Varna Free University Chernorizets Hrabar with director Ivaylo Ivanov and choreographer Dilyan Galev.

/MR/

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By 03:03 on 07.06.2026 Today`s news

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