Bulgaria: The Lev Exits Circulation, Enters Collector Circles
As Bulgaria phases out the lev at the end of January, the numismatic market is already responding to the change, though not all coins are attracting attention.
Sofia is set to host the 13th edition of the “Book Alley” (Aleya na Knigata), the country’s largest open-air book fair, running from September 8 to 14, 2025. Visitors will find Vitosha Boulevard and the park in front of the National Palace of Culture transformed into a lively hub of books, readers, and cultural activities.
This year, the fair will feature more than 150 publishing houses spread across 61 tents. Alongside the book displays, attendees can enjoy a diverse cultural program that includes author meet-and-greets, children’s activities, literary readings, and film screenings. The full schedule of events is available for visitors in advance.
The official opening is scheduled for September 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the cultural program tent at the park in front of the National Palace of Culture, starting with a special musical welcome for guests. The exhibition will remain open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with closing day hours until 7:00 p.m.
“Book Alley” is traditionally organized by the Bulgarian Book Association in partnership with the Sofia Municipality, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education and Science, BTA, and EcoPack Bulgaria AD. The event is included in Sofia Municipality’s Cultural Calendar for 2025.
Sofia held a commemorative ceremony marking 81 years since the events known as the Bloody Christmas in Vardar Macedonia, when thousands of people identified as Bulgarians were killed in January 1945. The anniversary was observed on Saturday with the unvei
On January 8, Bulgaria marks the Day of Maternity Care, widely known as Babinden (Midwives' Day). According to the old calendar, the holiday falls on January 21, while under the new style it is observed on January 8.
Bulgaria observes Ivanovden, or St. John’s Day, on January 7, one of the country’s significant traditional holidays marking the feast of St. John the Baptist
Men from the town of Kalofer once again entered the icy waters of the Tundzha River on Epiphany/Yordanovden, continuing one of Bulgaria’s most distinctive and widely recognized traditions.
Yordanovden, celebrated on January 6, is one of the most significant religious and cultural holidays in Bulgaria. Known internationally as Epiphany or Theophany, the day commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist
On January 1, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks St. Basil’s Day, also known as Vasilitsa or Survaki, one of the most widely observed calendar and name-day holidays in the country.
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