The award ceremony for the winners of the first edition of the youth literary competition “Burgas Inspires” took place at the Flora Expo Center, bringing together young poets, musicians, and enthusiasts of contemporary literature. The event was accompanied by a musical and poetic performance, turning the evening into a celebration of youth creativity.
The competition was organized by the Student Committee of the Municipality of Burgas in partnership with the Municipality of Burgas and the “International Youth Center” – Burgas. Among the guests were Deputy Mayor for Education, Healthcare, Social Affairs and Youth Policies, Mihail Nenov, and Maria Salabasheva, Director of the Municipal Enterprise “International Youth Cultural Center.”
Participants were asked to include a quote from a Burgas author in their poems, creating a dialogue between established local poets and the new generation of creators. A total of 50 young people aged 14 to 30 took part in the competition, divided into two categories. Selected works were presented on stage by students from the National School of Music and Performing Arts “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov,” with musical performances enhancing the artistic program.
The jury, consisting of Rumyana Emanuilidu, Dr. Loris Manuelian, and Yana Valcheva, recognized the following winners:
Category I (ages 14–18)
1st place – Kristian Kamenov Krastev (German High School “Goethe”) – “The Night City”
1st place – Dimitrina Petrova Guteva (Foreign Language High School “Vasil Levski”) – “The Sea Does Not Remember”
2nd place – Daria Todorova Georgieva (German High School “Goethe”) – “Under the Stars, the Sea is Silent”
3rd place – Eva Dimitrova Sabeva (American English High School “Geo Milev”) – “Burgas Falls Asleep in Bluish Twilight”
Additional nominees:
Radina Ivanova Boyadzhieva, Nikiyan Nikolaev Dimitrov, Lachezar Kaloyanov Kutsarov, Elena Emilova Georgieva, and Siyana Aleksandrova Kostadinova.
Category II (ages 19–30)
1st place – Rositsa Filipova Stoyanova – “I Survived”
2nd place – Shirin Marinova (Medical Faculty at Burgas State University) – “The Sea Called Me”
Additional nominees:
Kalina Todorova Kuneva – “The Beautiful Shore Remains Far Away” and Ana-Maria Boykova Simeonova – “The Night Has Come.”
All participants received certificates, and the winners were awarded special prizes, provided with the support of the Municipality of Burgas, Regional Library “Peyo Yavorov,” Burgas Aviation Museum, and the publishing house “Znatsi.”
The “Burgas Inspires” competition supports the city’s bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2032.
