Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Sofia celebrates 2024 with a light show and concert, the no-fireworks rule not quite working 

Photo: BTA

Residents and guests of Sofia welcomed the New Year 2024 at Alexander I Battenberg Square, where a festive concert and light show took place. 

Famous musicians as well as emerging artists took to the stage, creating a warm and festive atmosphere among the audience. These included ViliDJ Brazz & Brass Band from the Lyubomir Pipkov National Music School, young singers Krista, Donny and Neti, Ivo Papazov and the Trakia Orchestra, and the bands Tangra and Ostava. 

Traditionally, at midnight, the Christian Orthodox chant Na Mnogaya Leta, performed by the world-famous opera bass late Boris Hristov, was followed by the most popular Bulgarian chain dance - Diko Iliev's Dunavsko Horo, which made most people join hands and dance. 
Although this year Sofia Municipality banned fireworks at midnight, there was a thunderous celebration near the event, BGNES reported. In fact, the city was ablaze with fireworks, as seen from above, a Radio Bulgaria reporter saw.

Similar festive concerts to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new were held in all major cities.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Weather forecast for May 19: Sun in the morning, clouds and showers in the afternoon

On Monday, the lowest temperatures will range between 5°C and 10°C, around 5°C in Sofia. It will be mostly sunny in the morning, but around and after noon, cumulonimbus clouds will begin to form. Short showers are expected mainly in the mountain..

published on 5/18/25 6:35 PM
Bulgaria's Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov

Bulgaria supplies electricity to North Macedonia and Serbia after power outages in the Balkans

We are helping North Macedonia and Serbia because of the breakdowns in their energy systems, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov announced at an emergency briefing following widespread power outages in the Balkans. “In the early hours..

published on 5/18/25 5:45 PM
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his inauguration

Premier Zhelyazkov congratulates Pope Leo XIV on his inauguration

Bulgaria’s Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov congratulated Pope Leo XIV after his inauguration as the leader of the Catholic Church. Rosen Zhelyazkov wished Pope Leo XIV health, longevity and wisdom. The two had a brief conversation after the official..

published on 5/18/25 5:04 PM