109 Pink Flamingos Welcome the Giro d’Italia to Burgas – a Striking Installation Supporting the City’s European Capital of Culture 2032 Bid

A vibrant installation of 109 pink flamingos now welcomes the Giro d’Italia to Burgas, transforming the city’s entrance into a bold visual landmark. Positioned at the “Trompeta” Junction on the I 9 Sarafovo–Burgas route, the flamingos form a dynamic line that accompanies the cyclists as they enter the city. The installation is the work of the Burgas-based artist Georgi Andonov. Inspired by the 109 year history of the Giro d’Italia, he created 109 flamingo figures, each representing one year of the legendary race – a tribute to the endurance, spirit and relentless forward drive that define this iconic cycling event.

The flamingo was chosen not only for its elegance. In recent years, these birds have become part of the contemporary identity of Burgas, finding a home in Atanasovsko Lake – a place of natural balance and harmony. Their pink colour naturally echoes the iconic Maglia Rosa, creating a shared visual language between the city’s nature and the world‑famous race. Placed along the route, the flamingo figures create a rhythm – a visual pulse that mirrors the movement of the cyclists. They are not merely decoration, but a living connection between the place and the event, between Burgas and the world.

The installation will be seen by more than 200 million viewers worldwide, turning Burgas into a recognisable international stage during the Grande Partenza. At the end of the event, each participating cycling team will receive one of the flamingos. Signed by the riders, these figures will become unique symbols of the encounter between Burgas and world sport – a memory that continues long after the finish line.

Background: Giro d’Italia in Burgas and the City’s European Capital of Culture 2032 Vision

Burgas is entering a pivotal phase of its cultural transformation as it prepares its bid for European Capital of Culture 2032. The city presents its ambition with a clear vision in which culture, nature and community intertwine to shape a sustainable and inspiring future. In this context, hosting the Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza is far more than a sporting event – it is a powerful international signal of openness, movement and European spirit. These are the very values at the heart of Burgas’ candidacy, demonstrating how the city connects its local identity with global cultural momentum.

Burgas Marks Europe Day with Messages to Loved Ones – Special Postcards in the New Burgas 2032 Visual Identity Await Residents and Visitors

On 9 May – Europe Day and the second day of the Giro d’Italia stage in Burgas – the city invites residents and visitors to send a personal message to their loved ones using special postcards created in the spirit of the newly unveiled Burgas 2032 brand vision.

The postcards carry the modern visual identity of the city’s European Capital of Culture bid – confident, contemporary and inspired by the community, nature and Burgas’ cultural energy.

To make the gesture even more meaningful, a dedicated postbox will be placed in the very heart of Burgas, next to the iconic Clock – a place of meetings, stories and memories for generations of locals. Anyone who wishes will be able to post their card there and send it to any corner of the world, turning Europe Day into a moment of closeness, emotion and shared celebration.

The initiative transforms the act of sending a postcard into a symbolic expression of connection – between people, between the city and its guests, between Burgas and Europe. It highlights the values at the core of the Burgas 2032 vision: human‑centred experiences, shared creativity, cultural energy and a strong sense of belonging.

Burgas continues its confident journey towards the title of European Capital of Culture 2032, developing a vision in which culture, nature and community intertwine into a unified narrative of a sustainable and inspiring future. The celebration of Europe Day – a day of solidarity, shared values and European identity – coincides with the passing of the Giro d’Italia through the city, turning 9 May into a powerful symbol of European spirit, movement and cultural connection. On a day when culture, community and the European idea meet, Burgas extends an invitation to all – to share a feeling, send a message and become part of the collective story of Burgas 2032.

The message that the people of Burgas are the heart of the city’s culture and future is at the core of the visual identity of the bid for European Capital of Culture in 2032. The official presentation of Burgas 2032’s key brand elements brought together representatives of the cultural sector, the media, and guests at the “Sea Casino” Cultural Center, with the focus on the participation of the people of Burgas themselves in the bid campaign.

Special guests at the event were the real people behind the visual identity of Burgas 2032—Burgas residents from different generations and professions who appear in the key visuals and symbolize the city’s vibrant cultural fabric.

The brand’s key visuals present the city’s geographical silhouette as a frame for portraits in a natural setting, thereby highlighting the community’s social energy, diversity and authenticity. Blue as a symbol of the future, innovation and development; pink—the creative environment and cultural industries; yellow as community and human interaction; and green—the connection to nature and sustainable development. This is the primary color system in the visual narrative through which the city presents itself to the country and Europe.

The design of the main graphic element is based on a stylized silhouette of Burgas. By presenting the neighborhoods as interconnected elements around the central form, the concept emphasizes the idea of unity, shared values and active participation in cultural life.

With the visual identity of its bid for European Capital of Culture in 2032, Burgas declares its ambition to be not merely a stage for culture, but a place where people are the driving force behind cultural processes—creators, participants and bearers of identity.

“Burgas desperately needs to rise above itself!”

“Through the European Capital of Culture initiative, we must tell the story of our city. We must tell it to the city itself, to the entire country, to Europe, and beyond….”

“Artists create a safe space where we can ask questions that aren’t so safe.”

These and many other topics were raised, discussed and debated by participants during the second discussion with the ‘Café Europe’ creative workshop.

The ‘Georgi Baev’ Hall at the ‘Sea Casino’ Cultural Center barely managed to accommodate over 100 representatives of state, municipal, private and non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and individuals involved in the fields of culture, green policies, education and sports.

Chris Baldwin, a director, artist and international expert, contributed his extensive expertise, examples and inspiration to the community conversation about Burgas 2032. With his support, we discussed guidelines for developing conceptual projects for participation in the Open Call ‘Magazia’32 – Treasury of Ideas’. We also discussed possible creative, artistic and innovative approaches for developing the conceptual proposals to be included in Burgas’ bid for European Capital of Culture in 2032.

The conversation continues….

For complete information about the OPEN CALL FOR PROJECT IDEAS ‘MAGAZIA’32 – Treasury of Ideas’:

DISCUSSION WITH A CREATIVE WORKSHOP „CAFÉ EUROPE“

March 13, 2026 /Friday/, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.,

Sea Casino Cultural Center, Burgas, Georgi Baev Hall

The BURGAS 2032 Foundation invites to an open discussion representatives of state, municipal, private, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and individuals involved in the fields of culture, green policies, education, and sports.

International expert Chris Baldwin will take part in the “Café Europe” creative workshop, where we will talk about possible creative, artistic, and innovative approaches to developing ideas that will form the basis of Burgas’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2032.

We will discuss the guidelines for creating conceptual projects for participation in the open procedure “Magazia’32 – Treasury of Ideas.”

Participation in the “Café Europe” event is free and open to all interested parties. Link for registration: https://forms.gle/PdQf7EjtwwaGcrnu7

Complete information about the OPEN CALL FOR PROJECT IDEAS “MAGAZIA’32” is available at: https://burgas2032.com/en/invitation_magazia32/

•   Schoolchildren, students from universities and branches in Burgas, and other young people participated in the first discussion centered around the “Café Europe” workshop.

•    “MAGAZIA’32 – Treasury of Ideas”, the open call for conceptual projects, brought together the team of the Burgas 2032 Foundation, like-minded people, friends and young people from the city and the region for a frank conversation.

•   With great interest and many questions, the youthful participants joined in the discussion about creative, artistic and innovative approaches to cultural content to be included in Burgas’s bid for European Capital of Culture in 2032.

•    International expert Chris Baldwin answered a host of questions about the meaning, content and results of the European Capital of Culture title.

•    The conversation is just beginning….

Complete information about the OPEN CALL FOR PROJECT IDEAS “MAGAZIA’32” is available at: 

An official procedure has been announced for creative projects to be included in Burgas’ bid to become European Capital of Culture

The Burgas 2032 Foundation announces a procedure for collecting creative and artistic ideas, educational, partnership, and community projects to be included in the cultural program with which Burgas, supported by the region, will apply for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2032. The open call for ideas marks the beginning of the actual stage of developing the city’s candidacy and reflects the approach of seeking the widest possible participation in the process of preparing Burgas. 

The open call starts on February 10, 2026, and ideas will be accepted until May 5, 2026. A series of discussions and creative workshops are planned to assist those wishing to contribute project ideas for Burgas’ candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2032.

The procedure is published on the website www.burgas2032.com, where all the conditions for participation can be found. Proposals can be submitted by filling out an application form on the website or by downloading and sending the completed form to opencalls@burgas2032.com. Interested participants can ask questions related to the call and how to submit project ideas by emailing questions@burgas2032.com.

The call is open to cultural operators, cultural institutions and organizations, community centers, representatives of civil society, representatives of business, the scientific and academic community, as well as individuals working in the arts and culture, sports, education, social activities, health, creative industries, economics, etc. Project proposals must have a timeframe for implementation between 2028 and 2032+.

The open call sets out five possible thematic lines to guide the creative thinking of participants in the procedure:

•    ‘No One Left Behind’ 

•    ‘Nature to Culture to Nature’

•    ‘Liquid Border(s)’ 

•    ‘InSitu – InSites – InSights’ 

•    ‘Guardians of the Soul’ 

The procedure for collecting project ideas is called ‘Magazia’32 – Treasury of Ideas’, inspired by the symbolism of the port warehouses in Burgas. “Magazia’32 will be a unique repository of ideas for the Burgas 2032 initiative. There, we will generate, store, build upon, and share artistic responses to topics and challenges as a reflection of the local community, actions to address regional issues, and an understanding of common values in a European context,” note the organizers from the Burgas 2032 Foundation. 

Teater Giljotin in Stockholm, Sweden, was filled to capacity for two consecutive days as the State Puppet Theater–Burgas performed ‘The Fillyjonk Who Believed in Disasters’. The production – based on the work of Swedish-Finnish author Tove Jansson – received ovations from the audience, while serving as an ambassador on an international stage for Burgas’ candidacy for European Capital of Culture in 2032. Among the special guests were representatives of the Bulgarian Embassy in Sweden.

“It was particularly exciting to see how the audience received the story, which is so close to Scandinavian culture, but performed with an entirely Bulgarian interpretation. The meeting between two cultures on one stage turned into a genuine celebration of art,” said Petar Todorov, director of the State Puppet Theater–Burgas.

Following the performances, the Burgas artists hosted fun puppet art workshops for young and old alike. Dozens of children assumed the roles of the characters, Fillyjonk and Gaffsie, immersing themselves in the magic of theatrical art.

During the State Puppet Theater–Burgas and Burgas 2032’s visit to Sweden, working meetings were also held with cultural operators from Stockholm and the region, who proposed new opportunities for future joint creative seminars, co-productions and cultural exchanges.

Special thanks to our hosts from Teater Giljotin for their inspiring partnership!

All municipalities in the region gave their official support to Burgas’ bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2032. The 13 municipalities in the Burgas region and the Burgas 2032 Foundation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation at a ceremony at the Sea Casino Cultural Center. Regional Governor Vladimir Krumov also attended the event.

The mayors of the region united around the Burgas 2032 initiative as a common mission and strategic investment in the future of the region. The signing of the memorandum was approved by all municipal councils in the Burgas region. It is envisaged that Burgas’s candidacy will include joint regional projects that showcase the traditions and creative potential of the region. Its successful implementation will lead to increased international visibility for the region and the development of infrastructure and tourism.

The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in support of Burgas’ candidacy for European Capital of Culture marks the start of the Burgas 2032 campaign, after the Ministry of Culture announced the start of the competition for the title a few weeks ago. The Ministry of Culture published the official invitation to Bulgarian cities to submit their applications for European Capital of Culture. According to the European Union’s calendar, the title of European Capital of Culture for 2032 will be awarded to one city in Bulgaria and one city in Denmark. The deadline for Bulgarian cities to submit their applications is January 19, 2027.