Events

  Ukrainian Youth Philharmonic (Varna Summer IMF)

•  About: On 1 September, the Ukrainian Youth Philharmonic, founded and conducted by Oksana Liniv (the first woman to open the Bayreuth Festival), performs at Varna’s Festival & Congress Centre. Joined by the Paganini Ensemble Vienna (Mario Hosen, Marta Potulska, Liliana Kehayova, Alexander Svete), the programme features works by E. Orkin, Paganini, Ysaÿe, and Brahms. Expect youthful energy, top-level musicianship, and Liniv’s international pedigree.

•  Location: Festival & Congress Centre – Hall 1, 2 Slivnitsa Blvd.

•  Entrance: Tickets at FCC box office & online (prices vary).

•  Date: 1 September 2025

•  Time: 19:00–21:00

•  Details: Organised by the Varna Summer Festival with support from the Austrian Cultural Forum Sofia. First Bulgarian appearance — early booking advised.

 International Symposium “Music of the Mediterranean Countries”

•  About: From 2–4 September, the Varna Summer IMF hosts a cultural exchange exploring Mediterranean music. Daytime forums (10:00–13:00) feature musicologists from Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Austria & Bulgaria. Evening concerts (19:00) at the City Art Gallery present chamber works by de Falla, Turina, Ravel, Boulez, Skalkottas, performed by international ensembles.

•  Location: City Art Gallery “Boris Georgiev”, 1 Lyuben Karavelov St.

•  Entrance: Forum free; concert tickets via FCC.

•  Dates: 2–4 September 2025

•  Time: Forum 10:00–13:00; Concerts 19:00

•  Details: Moderated by Prof. Hartmut Krones. Supported by Italian, Spanish, and Austrian cultural institutes.

 World Festival of Animated Film – 21st Edition

•  About: From 3–7 September, Varna hosts the World Festival of Animated Film (WFAF) at the FCC. Expect screenings of Bulgarian & international animation, workshops, masterclasses, open-air shows, and exhibitions. Family-friendly daytime screenings and avant-garde evening selections make this a highlight for both fans and industry professionals.

•  Location: Festival & Congress Centre + city venues

•  Entrance: Tickets for screenings/workshops (some free events).

•  Dates: 3–7 September 2025

•  Time: All day (programme online).

•  Details: Organised by Association “International Animation Film Festival” with cultural support.

 NTADES 2025 – New Trends in Differential Equations

•  About: The Twelfth NTADES Conference runs 1–4 September at the St. Constantine & Helena resort. Hosted by the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, it covers modelling & applications of differential equations in physics, biology, engineering & finance. Features plenary talks, special sessions & Springer proceedings.

•  Location: St. Constantine & Helena Resort (8 km from Varna)

•  Entrance: Registration fee required (ntades.eu)

•  Dates: 1–4 September 2025

•  Time: 9:00–17:00 daily

•  Details: In cooperation with SIAM; welcomes early-career researchers.

 Cyber-AI 2025 – Cybersecurity & AI Conference

•  About: Running 1–4 September, Cyber-AI explores AI in cybersecurity — from threat detection to IoT security and ethics. Includes keynote talks, tutorials, workshops & networking opportunities for academics, engineers & policy makers.

•  Location: Varna (venue TBA, likely St. Constantine & Helena)

•  Entrance: Registration required (cyber-ai.org)

•  Dates: 1–4 September 2025

•  Time: Day sessions + evening socials

•  Details: Cross-disciplinary international event.

 Materials Science Conference – “Non-Equilibrium Phase Transformations”

•  About: From 1–4 September, this XI conference in St. Constantine & Helena focuses on non-equilibrium phase transformations in alloys, ceramics, composites, and additive manufacturing. Includes research presentations, company showcases, and social activities by the Black Sea.

•  Location: St. Constantine & Helena Resort

•  Entrance: Registration fee (material-science.eu)

•  Dates: 1–4 September 2025

•  Time: Day sessions + evening socials

•  Details: Organised by multiple scientific bodies; papers published in partner journals.

 International Conference of Metals, Ceramics & Composites (ICMCC)

•  About: From 8–11 September, the Azalia Hotel hosts the ICMCC organised by the Polish Foundrymen’s Association. Covers foundry engineering, metallurgy, powder processing, additive manufacturing & more — blending academia and industry.

•  Location: Azalia Hotel Balneo & SPA, St. Constantine & Helena Resort

•  Entrance: Registration fees apply

•  Dates: 8–11 September 2025

•  Time: Daytime sessions + evening receptions

•  Details: Attracts participants from across Europe.

 Organ Concert by Roman Perucki (Varna Summer IMF)

•  About: On 10 September, Polish organist Roman Perucki (chief organist of St. Mary’s Basilica in Gdańsk) performs Bach, Muffat & Gronau at Varna’s FCC pipe organ. A refined evening of Renaissance & Baroque repertoire.

•  Location: Festival & Congress Centre – Hall 1

•  Entrance: Tickets via FCC

•  Date: 10 September 2025

•  Time: 19:00–21:00

•  Details: Supported by the Polish Institute Sofia; limited seating.

 1B1 Scandinavian Ensemble (Varna Summer IMF)

•  About: On 11 September, the 1B1 ensemble, led by Jan Bjoranger with violist Lars Anders Tomter, performs works by Bach, Telemann, Berlin, Grieg & Penderecki. Known for their innovative style, they bring a fresh take on Baroque & Nordic repertoire.

•  Location: Aula Hall, University of Economics Varna

•  Entrance: Tickets via FCC

•  Date: 11 September 2025

•  Time: 19:00–21:00

•  Details: Supported by the Norwegian Embassy.

 Joseph Haydn – “The Seasons” Oratorio

•  About: On 12 September, conductor Georgi Dimitrov leads the Festival Orchestra & Romanian Choir “Preludiu” in Haydn’s oratorio The Seasons. Rarely performed, it celebrates nature’s cycle with soprano Stefani Krasteva, tenor Emil Pavlov & baritone Alec Avedissian.

•  Location: Festival & Congress Centre – Hall 1

•  Entrance: Tickets via FCC

•  Date: 12 September 2025

•  Time: 19:00–21:00

•  Details: Supported by Austria, Spain, Italy & Romania.

 Rock Sympho Show – Prime Orchestra

•  About: On 13 September, the Ukrainian Prime Orchestra presents its Rock Sympho Show at Varna’s Summer Theatre — symphonic covers of Metallica, Queen, Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin & more with choir, rock band, lights & visuals.

•  Location: Summer Theatre, Primorski Park

•  Entrance: Tickets BGN 40–100 (via UConcert & Eventim)

•  Date: 13 September 2025

•  Time: 20:00–22:00

•  Details: 10th anniversary tour; spectacular stage production.

 Choral Festive Days – Varna 2025

•  About: From 14–17 September, Varna hosts the International May Choir Competition’s autumn edition. Choirs from around the world perform at the FCC and outdoor venues, competing for the Grand Prix. A major cultural tradition since 1982.

•  Location: FCC Varna + outdoor stages

•  Entrance: Tickets per concert; some events free

•  Dates: 14–17 September 2025

•  Time: Afternoons & evenings

•  Details: Part of the Grand Prix Europe choral series.

 Exhibition – “Mastery for the Future” (Final Month)

•  About: Until 15 September, Varna’s Ethnographic Museum hosts an exhibition of traditional crafts & contemporary design from the Etar Open-Air Museum. Showcases textiles, woodwork & metalwork bridging heritage & modern design.

•  Location: Ethnographic Museum, 41 Gospodin Dimitrov St.

•  Entrance: Adults BGN 5; Students BGN 3

•  Dates: Until 15 September 2025

•  Time: 10:00–17:00 daily

•  Details: Supported by Gabrovo Municipality & Etar Museum.

 Exhibition – “The Thracian Warrior”

•  About: Running 30 June–31 December, this Archaeological Museum exhibition presents weapons, armour & artefacts of Thracian warriors, with pieces from museums across Bulgaria. Great for history lovers & families.

•  Location: Archaeological Museum Varna, 41 Maria Louisa Blvd.

•  Entrance: BGN 10 (concessions available)

•  Dates: Ongoing through September 2025

•  Time: 10:00–17:00 daily

•  Details: Organised by the Archaeological Museum Varna.

 Double Recital by Svetlin Roussev – “Ysaye & Paganini”

•  About: On 17 September, violinist Svetlin Roussev gives two rare back-to-back recitals at the University of Economics Aula Hall. At 18:00 he performs all six of Eugène Ysaÿe’s sonatas for solo violin; at 20:00 he tackles Paganini’s 24 Capriccios. Both are played on Mincho Minchev’s 18th-century Stradivarius. A marathon display of violin mastery.

•  Location: Aula Hall, University of Economics Varna, 77 Kniaz Boris I Blvd.

•  Entrance: Tickets via FCC

•  Date: 17 September 2025

•  Time: 18:00–20:00 & 20:00–22:00

•  Details: Organised by Varna Summer IMF; very limited seating.

 Golden Rose – Bulgarian Feature Film Festival (43rd Edition)

•  About: From 19–26 September, Bulgaria’s oldest film festival celebrates its 43rd edition. Held at the FCC, it screens the year’s best Bulgarian features, documentaries, and shorts. Includes premieres, discussions, and an award ceremony for best film, director, and actors.

•  Location: Festival & Congress Centre

•  Entrance: Tickets per screening; passes available

•  Dates: 19–26 September 2025

•  Time: Daily screenings (programme TBA)

•  Details: Organised by Ministry of Culture, National Film Center & Varna Municipality.

 Pictoplasma × Balkans – Character Design Festival

•  About: From 20–22 September, the renowned Pictoplasma platform lands in Varna for the first time. Expect lectures, workshops, screenings, exhibitions, and a design market dedicated to character design, animation & visual storytelling. A must-attend for artists, illustrators, and game developers.

•  Location: Yunashki Salon & HALE 3 art space, Varna

•  Entrance: Tickets available; some exhibitions free

•  Dates: 20–22 September 2025

•  Time: All-day activities, workshops & screenings

•  Details: Includes Pecha Kucha night, market & networking; in English.

 Bulgaria’s Independence Day Celebrations

•  About: On 22 September, Varna marks 117 years of Bulgaria’s independence with a flag-raising ceremony, military honour guard, and festive concert on Nezavisimost Square. Patriotic and festive atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.

•  Location: Nezavisimost Square, central Varna

•  Entrance: Free

•  Date: 22 September 2025

•  Time: Morning ceremony + afternoon/evening concert (exact times TBA)

•  Details: Organised by Varna Municipality with Naval Forces and Holy Metropolis.

 International Women’s Tennis Tournament

•  About: From 22–29 September, the ITF Women’s Circuit comes to Varna’s Super Sport Tennis Club. Professional players compete on hard courts at Sts. Constantine & Helena Resort. Matches run daily with finals over the weekend.

•  Location: Super Sport Tennis Club, Sts. Constantine & Helena Resort

•  Entrance: Free entry for most matches; finals may require tickets

•  Dates: 22–29 September 2025

•  Time: Matches start 10:00, run through afternoon

•  Details: Part of the ITF circuit; players earn ranking points.

 The Music of Hans Zimmer – Lords of the Sound

•  About: On 24 September, Ukrainian orchestra Lords of the Sound presents a film-music programme dedicated to Hans Zimmer. Expect themes from Interstellar, Dune, The Dark Knight, Inception, and Pirates of the Caribbean. A cinematic symphony experience.

•  Location: Festival & Congress Centre – Hall 1

•  Entrance: Tickets BGN 40–110 via UConcert/Eventim

•  Date: 24 September 2025

•  Time: 19:00–21:00

•  Details: Popular event — early booking recommended.

 International Black Sea Theatre Festival

•  About: From 24–28 September, the Stoyan Bachvarov Drama Theatre hosts its first international theatre festival. Eight plays are staged (Alma Mahler, I Am the Wind, Lisbon, Marriage, After the Rain, Empty City, Art), alongside exhibitions, workshops, and a fire show.

•  Location: Stoyan Bachvarov Drama Theatre, 1 Nevsky St.

•  Entrance: Tickets per performance; some events free

•  Dates: 24–28 September 2025

•  Time: Performances usually 19:00

•  Details: Includes exhibition on comedian Georgi Parzalev; conceived by Elitsa Mateeva.

 Night of Literature 2025

•  About: On 25 September, Varna joins the European Night of Literature. Between 18:00–21:30, excerpts of contemporary European literature are read aloud at multiple venues in the city centre. Visitors can stroll between locations to hear different authors.

•  Location: Cultural spaces across central Varna

•  Entrance: Free

•  Date: 25 September 2025

•  Time: 18:00–21:30

•  Details: Organised with European cultural institutes; readings every 30 minutes.

 ICEBM 2025 – International Conference on Economics, Business & Management

•  About: The 11th ICEBM Conference runs 25–26 September at the University of Economics Varna (and online). Academics and practitioners discuss economics, management, and finance. Proceedings indexed in Web of Science.

•  Location: University of Economics Varna, 77 Kniaz Boris I Blvd.

•  Entrance: BGN 150 (authors), BGN 80 (PhD students/co-authors)

•  Dates: 25–26 September 2025

•  Time: 09:00–17:00

•  Details: In partnership with the Union of Economists in Bulgaria.

 Candlelight: Tribute to Queen

•  About: On 26 September, Varna’s FCC hosts a candlelit tribute to Queen. A string quartet performs Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, and more in an intimate, atmospheric setting.

•  Location: Festival & Congress Centre – Hall 1

•  Entrance: Tickets from BGN 35 (via Fever & authorised vendors)

•  Date: 26 September 2025

•  Time: 21:00 (doors open 20:15)

•  Details: Family-friendly (ages 8+). No late entry.