Burgas is taking part in the international "Night of Literature" initiative for the fifteenth time — this year's edition falls on October 1. Unlike previous years, all readings will now take place outdoors, amid the sea air and city lights.

Seven contemporary European books will be read aloud at seven locations across the city, which for a few hours will turn into "reading nests." Actors, writers and figures from the Burgas cultural scene will read excerpts by authors from Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden.

Among the readers are Prof. Georgi Bardarov, author of one of the selected books, and Todora Daskalova from the book blog Reading Trolls. They will be joined by writer Boyan Boev, Petar Todorov — director of the Burgas State Puppet Theatre, actress Simona Bogdanova and many other voices from the city's cultural life.

Readings begin at 6:00 p.m. and continue every half hour — at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. At each nest, the same excerpt from the book is read every half hour, giving people time to move from one location to another. The idea is for everyone to design their own literary route — moving from spot to spot and discovering different stories, styles and voices.

Organizers are also preparing a special prize for anyone who visits all seven locations — a nod to those who choose to experience the entire literary night in Burgas.

According to the organizers, "Night of Literature" is a live encounter with contemporary European literature — its themes, languages and Bulgarian translations. Burgas's participation also supports the city's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2032. The organizers say the event is part of their effort to build lasting European partnerships, with the goal of keeping contemporary literature at the heart of Burgas's cultural life.

Here's where and what will be read:

At Café Kaive on Aleko Konstantinov Street, readers will present "The Café with No Name" (2024) by Austrian author Robert Seethaler, translated by Lyubomir Iliev and published by List with cover art by Sofia Popyordanova. Reading will be Prof. Dr. Maria Neykova of Burgas Free University and Diana Radoslavova of the "Asen Zlatarov 1940" community center.

On the terrace opposite Hall 3 at the "Peyo K. Yavorov" Regional Library, audiences will hear "Adagio for Maria" (2025) by Georgi Bardarov, an employee of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Translation — Bulgaria. The book is published by MusaGena with cover art by Niya Mancheva. Reading will be Alberta Alcalay from the Aleph Center and the author himself, Prof. Georgi Bardarov.

At the Georgi Baev Gallery-Museum at 6 Demokratsiya Blvd., audiences will hear the novel "The Employees" (2026) by Danish writer Olga Ravn, translated by Rositsa Tsvetanova and published by ICU with cover art by Stoyan Atanasov. Reading will be Dr. Margarita Doncheva and Todora Daskalova of Reading Trolls.

At the Writer's House at 1 Vola Street, the reading starts a bit later — at 7:30 p.m. — with the novel "Intermezzo" (2025) by Irish author Sally Rooney, translated by Boryana Dzhanabetska and published by Ednorog with a design by Faber & Faber. Reading will be Petar Todorov of the Burgas State Puppet Theatre and Deputy Mayor for Culture and Religious Affairs Diana Savateva.

At C.A.S.A Triangulo Creativo at 4 Antim I Street, the reading will feature "Rose Is Gone" (2021) by Finnish writer Katja Kettu, translated by Rositsa Tsvetanova and published by ICU with cover art by Zhivko Petrov. Reading will be Boyan Boev and Maria Arnaudova.

At the Ethno Museum and Café at 69 Slavyanska Street, the novel "Jakob von Gunten" (2025) by Swiss author Robert Walser will be presented, translated by Boyan Valchev and published by Nike with cover art by Lyuba Haleva. Reading will be Simona Bogdanova and Emil Ovanesov of BIFF.

And at the "Petko Zadgorski" Burgas Art Gallery at 24 Metropolitan Simeon Street, audiences will hear "Everything I Don't Remember" (2021) by Swedish author Jonas Hassen Khemiri, translated by Maria Zmiycharova and published by Matcom with cover art by Ina Dimitrova. Reading will be Dr. Loris Manuelyan and Petya Yanakieva of BNR Burgas.

"Night of Literature" Burgas 2026 is organized by the Municipality of Burgas and the "Burgas 2032" Foundation, together with the "Peyo K. Yavorov" Regional Library, Café Kaive, the Georgi Baev Gallery-Museum, the Burgas Writers' Community, the Writer's House, C.A.S.A Triangulo Creativo, the Ethnographic Museum and Café, and the "Petko Zadgorski" Burgas Art Gallery. The event's media partner is BNR Radio Burgas.

The "Night of Literature" initiative is held with the participation of Sofia Municipality, EUNIC, the "Read Sofia" Foundation, the Austrian Cultural Forum Sofia, the embassies of Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Translation — Bulgaria, the Goethe-Institut Bulgaria, the Embassy of Greece in Sofia, the Instituto Cervantes Sofia, the Italian Cultural Institute, the British Council Bulgaria, the Polish Institute in Sofia, the Cultural and Information Center of North Macedonia in Sofia, the Liszt Institute — Hungarian Cultural Center, the Czech Center Sofia, and the "Children's Books" Foundation. The "Read Sofia" Foundation is the national coordinator of the initiative, which is part of Sofia Municipality's 2026 Cultural Events Calendar.

Updates to the program will be posted on the event's official Facebook page. Admission to all reading nests is free.