The Bay of Burgas will be transformed into a stage for traditions, art, flavors, and customs with the first edition of the “Ethnosphere” Festival.

The Bay of Burgas will be transformed into a stage for traditions, art, flavors, and customs with the first edition of the “Ethnosphere” Festival. The event will take place from June 13 to 16, and St. Anastasia Island will welcome residents and visitors of Burgas with a program dedicated to the region’s cultural diversity.

The “Ethnosphere” Festival is conceived as a “living” event showcasing the cultures of the various communities that have coexisted in the Burgas region for centuries. The festival is organized by the Municipality of Burgas and the Lyuben Groys Theatre College.

Boats to St. Anastasia Island will depart from Magazia 1 at the following times: 10:00, 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 17:00, and 18:00.

Tickets can be purchased at the Magazia 1 ticket office. For reservations, call +359 882 004 124.

“Ethnosphere” Festival Program

Day 1 – Armenian Culture Day

June 13

Departures from Magazia 1: 15:00, 17:00, 18:00

Visitors will enjoy Armenian dances, songs, poetry recitals, Armenian barbecue, traditional Armenian dishes, beverages, and souvenirs available for purchase.

Program Schedule:

11:30–12:15

14:30–15:15

16:00–16:45

18:00–18:45 (Festival Opening Ceremony)

First and Second Sessions:

Hovsep Melkonyan

Armenian Dance Ensemble “Gayane Marashlyan” (Varna)

Third and Fourth Sessions:

Khacho Sarabyan

Loris Manuelyan

Armenian Dance Ensemble “Nur” (Burgas)

Kevork Daduryan

Day 2 – Turkish Culture Day

June 14

Departures from Magazia 1: 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00

Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy Turkish folk dances, musical performances, and traditional customs. Throughout the day, guests can sample Turkish coffee, ashure, gözleme, and sherbet, while exploring traditional Turkish crafts and handicrafts.

Day 3 – Roma Culture Day

June 15

Departures from Magazia 1: 10:00, 11:00, 13:30, 17:00, 18:00

Children will welcome visitors to the island with traditional Roma-style banitsa. Guests can visit themed tents featuring hair braiding, barber services, henna art, fortune-telling, and bracelet-making. Traditional foods such as stuffed vine leaves (sarmi), fried pastries, and banitsa will also be available.

The program will include traditional Roma dances, and visitors will receive Roma folk tales translated into English. One of the tents will focus on messages of friendship and tolerance. Women dressed in traditional attire will add color to the festivities, while the evening will conclude with a musical adventure accompanied by a live orchestra.

Day 4 – Burgas Culture Day (Closing Day)

June 16

Departures from Magazia 1: 10:00, 11:00, 13:30, 17:00, 18:00

The spirit of Burgas will take over the island on Tuesday. Visitors can look forward to performances by the talented “Flying People” literary group, while bagpipers, folk singers, and dancers will provide entertainment throughout the day.

A beloved symbol of Burgas’s bohemian lifestyle—mussels cooked on sheet metal directly on the beach—will be featured during Burgas Day. The island restaurant will also serve the legendary Burgas-style mussels. Fried sprats (tsatsa) and beer will be an essential part of the celebration.

🎶 The festival’s closing concert will begin after 17:40, featuring the bands “Embraced Cloud” and “Hot Sand”, along with representative performances from the other participating ethnic communities.